US6392756B1 - Method and apparatus for optically determining physical parameters of thin films deposited on a complex substrate - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for optically determining physical parameters of thin films deposited on a complex substrate Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US6392756B1 US6392756B1 US09/336,404 US33640499A US6392756B1 US 6392756 B1 US6392756 B1 US 6392756B1 US 33640499 A US33640499 A US 33640499A US 6392756 B1 US6392756 B1 US 6392756B1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- optical response
- substrate
- thin film
- wavelength range
- physical parameter
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01B11/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
- G01B11/02—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring length, width or thickness
- G01B11/06—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring length, width or thickness for measuring thickness ; e.g. of sheet material
- G01B11/0616—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring length, width or thickness for measuring thickness ; e.g. of sheet material of coating
- G01B11/0641—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring length, width or thickness for measuring thickness ; e.g. of sheet material of coating with measurement of polarization
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for optically determining physical parameters of thin films deposited on a complex substrate, and in particular to measurements of thin films on complex substrates for obtaining physical parameters such as thickness t, refraction index n and extinction coefficient k.
- thin films are used for optical and/or mechanical protection of surfaces, alteration of surface optical and/or mechanical properties and for many other purposes.
- thin films exhibiting high hardness and high wearing resistance e.g., diamond-like-carbon (DLC) are used to protect the disk surface.
- DLC diamond-like-carbon
- the most commonly investigated physical parameters of thin films include their thickness t, index of refraction n, extinction coefficient k, surface roughness ⁇ (at the interface between the thin film and the substrate on which it is deposited) and energy bandgap E g which is related to extinction coefficient k.
- Knowledge of parameters t, n and k tends to be most important in practical applications.
- the thickness t of the thin film is frequently crucial and has to be known to a very high degree of accuracy. This presents considerable difficulty, since t for thin films typically ranges from 1,000 Angstroms down to tens of Angstroms and less. In this range, typical optical measurements are not very reliable.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,492 to Reichert employs a standard interference technique for measuring film thickness based on observing the interference between the light reflected from the top and bottom surfaces of the thin film.
- Greenberg et al. teaches in U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,949 that film thickness can be determined by examining the interference pattern and reflectance data from a reflectance pattern, respectively to determine film thickness profile.
- Wada et al. describe a how to measure thicknesses of several films using a reflectance measuring device.
- Ellipsometry is another technique used to measure physical parameters of thin films.
- n and k are determined by measuring the change in the state of polarization of the reflected light.
- Ellipsometry requires complex instrumentation and needs certain sophistication in interpretation of the measurements.
- No. 5,101,111 to Kondo teaches a method of measuring film thickness using a reflectance sample having a known reflectance for each value of film thickness dx.
- the reflectances for the various thicknesses are stored in a table and compared to those obtained when examining a sample.
- Case et al. disclose a technique and apparatus for measuring the thickness of epitaxial layers by infrared reflectance. The technique relies on taking the Fourier transform of the signal reflected from the epi layer using a Fourier transform IR spectrometer and comparing the result with theoretical values obtained beforehand.
- Nishizawa et al. also rely on a Fourier transformation to obtain an interference waveform dispersion spectrum which is compared with a waveform obtained by numerical calculation using an optical characteristic matrix. Waveform fitting between theoretical and measured spectra is used to obtain film thickness.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,340 to Clapis et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,472 to Ledger also teach how to measure film thicknesses based on reference samples yielding reference reflectance signals.
- the prior art also teaches non-optical methods of determining thin film thicknesses.
- atomic force microscopy employing a deflectable stylus can be used to determine film thicknesses by surface profiling.
- the drawbacks of this technique are that it requires a physical step which is destructive to the thin film or degrades its surface.
- this technique can not be used to determine other physical parameters of the thin film, such as the n, k and E g values.
- the apparatus and method should enable one to determine film thickness t to within 5 Angstroms and yield accurate values of physical parameters including n, k and E g .
- Yet another object of the invention is to provide for the apparatus of the invention to be simple and cost-effective to implement. Additionally, the method of the invention should be easy to employ in practical situations.
- a method for optically determining a physical parameter including thickness t, index of refraction n and extinction coefficient k of a thin film can also be used to determine related physical parameters, such as energy bandgap E g related to the extinction coefficient k of the material of the thin film.
- the method calls for providing a test beam having a wavelength range ⁇ and providing a complex substrate which has at least two layers and exhibits a non-monotonic and an appreciably variable substrate optical response over wavelength range ⁇ .
- the thin film is deposited on the complex substrate.
- a measurement of a total optical response, consisting of the substrate optical response and an optical response difference due to the thin film is performed over wavelength range ⁇ .
- the physical parameters are then determined from the total optical response.
- the substrate optical response is a substrate reflectance and the total optical response is a total reflectance due to the reflectance of the substrate and a reflectance difference due to the presence of the thin film.
- illumination with the test beam produces a reflected beam.
- the reflected beam can be analyzed to determine the physical parameter from any one or from any combination of the properties of light making up the reflected beam. These properties include phase, amplitude, s-polarization, p-polarization, s-polarization amplitude, p-polarization amplitude, s-polarization phase and p-polarization phase.
- the reflectance measurement can involve an ellipsometric technique.
- the step of determining the physical parameters is based on a model of n and k of the substrate and thin film.
- the Forouhi-Bloomer method is used for modeling n and k.
- Other dispersion models can also be used. In some cases, no dispersion model is necessary.
- the model yields a theoretical total reflectance value R T(th) and this theoretical value is compared to the total reflectance R T obtained during the measurement. The comparison of these values is performed and the parameters of the model are adjusted to conform with the observed value.
- the values of the physical parameters are then obtained from the model.
- the fitting of the theoretical and measured values can be performed by a fitting technique such as non-linear least squares fit, a mean absolute difference fit or any other suitable technique.
- the physical parameters can also be determined based on optical transmittance.
- the optical response is a substrate transmittance and the total optical response is a total transmittance due to the transmittance of the substrate and a transmittance difference due to the presence of the thin film.
- Illumination with the test beam produces a transmitted beam.
- the transmitted beam can be analyzed to determine the physical parameter from any one or from any combination of the properties of light making up the transmitted beam.
- the properties of the transmitted beam which can be examined include phase, amplitude, s-polarization, p-polarization, s-polarization amplitude, p-polarization amplitude, s-polarization phase and p-polarization phase.
- the transmittance can be analyzed by an ellipsometric technique.
- the step of determining the physical parameter from the transmitted beam can be based on transmittance model of the substrate and thin film.
- the model yields a theoretical total transmittance value T T(th) and this theoretical value is compared to the total transmittance T T obtained during the measurement.
- the value of the physical parameters is obtained from the model.
- a fitting technique such as non-linear least squares fit, a mean absolute difference fit or any other suitable technique can be employed as well.
- the Forouhi-Bloomer method is used for modeling transmittance.
- Other dispersion models can also be used. In some cases, no dispersion model is necessary.
- the complex substrate is selected to have a non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable substrate optical response over wavelength range ⁇ . This can be achieved when the at least two layers making up the complex substrate are chosen such that the effect of multiple internal reflections in the complex substrate and the film is maximized.
- An apparatus for optically determining the physical parameters of the thin film employs the complex substrate which is made up of at least two layers and has the above-mentioned substrate optical response characteristics over wavelength range ⁇ .
- the apparatus has a light source for illuminating the complex substrate and the thin film deposited on it with a test beam spanning the wavelength range ⁇ .
- a detector is provided for measuring the total optical response, e.g., a reflected beam and/or a transmitted beam.
- a computing unit in communication with the detector determines the physical parameter from the total optical response.
- each of the layers is selected such that optical response difference is non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over ⁇ .
- the materials are SiO 2 , Si or SiO x N y . These materials and their thicknesses are selected to maximize the effect of multiple internal reflections in the complex substrate and the thin film.
- the apparatus can be adapted for making measurements of transmittance and/or reflectance of the complex substrate and the thin film. The physical parameters are determined by the computing unit which obtains its data from the detector set up to detect the transmitted or reflected beam.
- a polarizer can be provided to polarize the test beam.
- Another polarizer, or analyzer can be placed in the path of the reflected or transmitted beam.
- the use of such polarizers or analyzers depends on what kind of light characteristics, i.e., s-polarization or p-polarization or their ratios (ellipsometric techniques), of the reflected or transmitted beams are measured to determine the physical parameters of the thin film.
- a monitoring sample for optically monitoring the physical parameter of a thin film in accordance with the invention can be used in a monitoring system.
- a deposition chamber for depositing thin films on a substrate can employ a monitoring sample to determine from it the physical parameters of the thin film being deposited on the substrate.
- the monitoring sample can be measured in the reflective or transmissive arrangement, as necessary or preferable.
- the thin film whose physical parameters are to be determined can be deposited between two of the layers making up the complex substrate.
- the complex substrate is likewise designed to maximize the effect of multiple internal reflections within the substrate and the thin film.
- FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a generic prior art reflectance measurement system.
- FIG. 2 is a general diagram illustrating the well-known principles of multiple reflection in a two-layer structure.
- FIG. 3 is a graph showing the reflectance of a thin DLC film on a magnetic substrate measured according to the prior art.
- FIG. 4 is an isometric view showing a complex substrate coated with a thin film according to the invention.
- FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view illustrating the light paths in the complex substrate of FIG. 4 in the absence of the thin film.
- FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view illustrating the light paths in the complex substrate of FIG. 4 in the presence of the thin film.
- FIG. 6A is a graph of a total reflectance R T of a thin film of DLC on a complex substrate of SiO 2 /Si according to the invention.
- FIG. 6B is a graph of the n and k coefficients obtained for the DLC film in accordance with the invention.
- FIG. 7A is a graph of substrate reflectance R S , total reflectance R T and reflectance difference ⁇ R obtained using a complex substrate according to the invention.
- FIG. 7B is a graph of substrate reflectance R S , total reflectance R T and reflectance difference ⁇ R obtained using a prior art substrate.
- FIG. 8A-B are graphs illustrating the adjustment of a fitting parameter ⁇ used in deriving the values of film thickness according to the invention.
- FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a general complex substrate according to the invention.
- FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of an arrangement for transmittance measurements in accordance with the invention.
- FIG. 11A-D are graphs illustrating ellipsometric measurements.
- FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of an arrangement for transmittance and reflectance measurements of a thin film sandwiched between two layers of a complex substrate according to the invention.
- FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a system employing a monitoring sample with a complex substrate.
- FIG. 14 is a graph comparing the performance of a film thickness measurement according to the invention with several prior art measurements.
- Arrangement 10 has a light source 16 for illuminating film 12 with a test beam 18 .
- a detector 20 receives a light beam 22 reflected off film 12 and substrate 14 .
- the wavelength ⁇ of beam 18 is varied over a certain range so that beam 22 can be studied as a function of wavelength ⁇ .
- FIG. 2 shows the propagation of beam 18 inside film 12 and substrate 14 .
- Beam 18 is incident on film 12 at an angle of incidence ⁇ i1 .
- This angle is typically very small; in other words, beam 18 strikes a surface 23 of film 12 at near-normal incidence.
- the remaining portion of beam 18 is transmitted through film 12 and refracted or bent towards the normal in accordance with Snell's law.
- the light arriving at an interface 24 between substrate 14 and film 12 is thus incident on interface 24 at an angle of incidence ⁇ i2 smaller than angle ⁇ i1 .
- Reflected beam 22 is composed of many light portions 22 a , 22 b , . . . 22 x which propagate along different paths and undergo various combinations of reflections and transmittances. Among light portions 22 a , 22 b , . . . 22 x those which interfere incoherently, i.e., light portions 22 c . . . 22 x , cancel and hence do not contribute to reflected beam 22 .
- Those light portions which interfere coherently i.e., light portions 22 a , 22 b produce a non-zero interference signal and hence contribute to reflected beam 22 .
- the differences in distances traveled or path length differences between portions 22 a , 22 b introduce relative phase shifts between portions 22 a , 22 b .
- the phase shifts cause interference between the individual portions 22 a , 22 b of reflected beam 22 .
- the interference produced between portions 22 a and 22 b is characteristic of this path length difference A.
- ⁇ is known then one can calculate ⁇ in terms of ⁇ and use the equation to obtain thickness t 1 .
- Extinction coefficients k 1 , k 2 of film 12 and substrate 14 describe the absorption of light and hence dictate the intensities of the individual light portions.
- n( ⁇ ) and k( ⁇ ) are tangible physical parameters such as composition or degree of “diamond-like” character, bandgap energy E g , the electrical properties of the material and many other parameters.
- E g is the bandgap energy or the minimum photon energy required for absorption, and A, B and C are parameters directly related to the electronic structure of the material of film 12 .
- n( ⁇ ) represents the value of n( ⁇ ) as ⁇ tends toward infinity.
- B 0 and C 0 are not independent parameters but depend on A, B, C and E g .
- the equation for n(E) is derived from the equation for k(E) through the well-known Kramers-Kronig dispersion relation.
- the Forouhi-Bloomer model incorporates the above equations into the Fresnel coefficients, along with a factor that depends on interface roughness ⁇ , to generate a calculated or theoretical reflectance spectrum, R th of reflected beam 22 .
- the quantities involving these physical parameters, specifically thickness t 1 , roughness ⁇ , A, B, C, n ( ⁇ ) and E g are varied such that ⁇ is minimized. This minimization is complete after several iterations.
- the final parameters then yield the physical parameters including t 1 , n( ⁇ ), k( ⁇ ), ⁇ and E g .
- FIG. 3 illustrates the smooth reflectance spectrum of beam 22 for ⁇ ranging from 190 nm to 900 nm obtained when film 12 is made of diamond-like carbon (DLC) and substrate 14 is a magnetic material (e.g., magnetic disk).
- DLC diamond-like carbon
- a transmittance measurement can be used with or instead of a reflectance measurement when the substrate is not opaque.
- arrangement 10 of FIG. 1 can be set up to intercept a transmitted beam 26 as shown in FIG. 2 composed of beam portions 26 a , 26 b , . . . 26 x , which interfere with each other due to path length differences in a manner analogous to that in reflected beam portions 22 a , 22 b , . . . 22 x .
- Transmitted beam 26 can then be used to determine the physical parameters.
- any dispersion model including the Forouhi-Bloomer model can be used to determine the n and k spectra. At small thickness t 1 , of film 12 these transmittance measurements are once again incapable of delivering accurate values for the physical parameters.
- FIG. 4 illustrates an apparatus 50 in accordance with the invention for measuring physical parameters of a thin film 52 deposited on a complex substrate 54 .
- Film 52 can have a thickness t f of less than 100 Angstroms and even less than 10 Angstroms.
- Apparatus 50 has a light source 56 for delivering a test beam 58 .
- Light source 56 can be a tunable laser or any other suitable light source or combination of light sources for producing stable light spanning a wavelength range ⁇ , e.g., from 190 nm to 900 nm.
- Light source 56 is oriented such that beam 58 illuminates or is incident on complex substrate 54 and film 52 at a near-normal incidence. In principle, however, angle of incidence ⁇ i can have any value.
- a detector 60 is positioned above complex substrate 54 for receiving a total optical response signal to illumination by beam 58 .
- the total optical response is in the form of a light beam 62 reflected by complex substrate 54 and thin film 52 .
- Detector 60 is a charge-coupled device (CCD), a diode array or any other suitable light detector which can reliably detect light over wavelength range ⁇ .
- a computing unit 64 is connected to detector 60 for processing the reflectance data obtained by detector 60 .
- Computing unit 64 can be a personal computer or any suitable data processing device, as necessary.
- complex substrate 54 exhibit a non-monotonic and appreciably variable substrate reflectance R S over wavelength range ⁇ .
- the variation in substrate reflectance R S is elucidated in reference to the cross sectional view of FIG. 5 A.
- a first wavelength ⁇ 1 selected from wavelength range ⁇ reflected beam 62 contains light portions having certain phases due to the path length differences, as explained above. These phases of the light portions making up reflected beam 62 are indicated by ⁇ a , ⁇ b , . . . ⁇ x and they differ with respect to each other.
- the interference of the light portions is incoherent for light portions undergoing multiple internal reflections and transmissions and does not contribute to reflected beam 62 .
- the non-contributing light portions are drawn in dashed lines.
- the light portions which remain coherent produce a resultant interference signal 70 .
- interference signal 70 is shown to have a spatial extent in FIG. 5A for explanatory purposes.
- the coherently interfering light portions produce reflected beam 62 which represents the sum total of all the interfering light portions. This sum total is the total signal level or total signal of reflected beam 62 as registered by detector 60 .
- a second wavelength ⁇ 2 selected from wavelength range ⁇ phases ⁇ a , ⁇ b , . . . ⁇ x have different values and hence they produce a different interference signal 70 ′ from the light portions which remain coherent. Hence, the total signal of reflected beam 62 changes.
- the variation of substrate reflectance R S ( ⁇ ) has to be non-zero (significant), non-monotonic and appreciably variable over wavelength range ⁇ .
- substrate reflectance R S ( ⁇ ) has an oscillatory form over wavelength range ⁇ .
- this condition will require proper selection of materials making up layers 66 , 68 of complex substrate 54 .
- this goal is achieved by selecting layers 66 , 68 having certain thicknesses t S1 , tS 2 on the order of or larger than the shortest wavelength contained in wavelength range ⁇ .
- layers 66 , 68 have to have certain indices of refraction n S1 , n S2 and extinction coefficients k S1 , k S2 .
- Layers 66 , 68 are selected to maximize the effect of multiple internal reflections in complex substrate 54 .
- layer 66 should exhibit a very small value k S1 , at least over wavelength range ⁇ .
- layer 66 should preferably act as a transparent material over wavelength range ⁇ .
- Layer 66 can be made of SiO 2 and layer 68 can be made of Si. In fact, generally materials from among Si, SiO 2 and SiO x N y are suitable for use in layer 68 while layer 66 can be made of SiO 2 or SiO x N y .
- layer 66 is an SiO 2 layer of thickness t 1S between 2000 and 6000 Angstroms and layer 68 is an Si layer of thickness t 2S on the order of half a millimeter.
- Optical determination of film thickness t f of film 52 is based on the values of total reflectance R T obtained by illuminating complex substrate 54 with beam 58 after film 52 is deposited.
- Total reflectance R T consists of substrate reflectance R S and a reflectance difference due to the presence of thin film 52 .
- the value of substrate reflectance R S is an important reference value and it is measured first before depositing film 52 .
- film 52 may not be deposited on entire complex substrate 54 as indicated in FIG. 4 . In the latter case, substrate reflectance R S can be re-measured at any time, as indicated in dashed lines in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 5B illustrates the measurement of total reflectance R T .
- first wavelength ⁇ 1 reflected beam 62 has reflected light portions r a , r b , . . . r x with different phases ⁇ a , ⁇ b , . . . ⁇ x .
- some of the light portions undergoing multiple reflections and transmissions within complex substrate 54 do not contribute to reflected beam 62 .
- These non-contributing light portions are indicated by dashed lines.
- the remaining light portions due to the differences between phases ⁇ a , ⁇ b , . . .
- ⁇ x produce a resultant interference signal 72 corresponding to a total signal level of reflected beam 62 registered at detector 60 .
- light portions undergoing internal reflections within film 52 retain their coherence and hence contribute to resultant interference signal 72 .
- second wavelength ⁇ 2 selected from wavelength range ⁇ phase shifts ⁇ a , ⁇ b , . . . ⁇ x of contributing light portions have different values and hence they produce a different interference signal 72 ′.
- the structure of complex substrate 54 maximizes the effect of multiple internal reflections in substrate 54 and film 52 . Specifically, by maximizing the number of reflections within substrate 54 the quantity of light portions making up reflected beam 62 is large. Thus, the total path length of reflected beam 62 in film 52 is maximized. The path length of reflected beam 62 in film 52 is further increased by taking into account the n and k values of film 52 when selecting n S1 , n S2 and k S1 , k S2 values of layers 66 , 68 . A person of average skill in the art will be able to make the appropriate choice of materials.
- Total reflectance R T is a signal which is a combination of substrate reflectance R S and a reflectance difference ⁇ R due to film 52 .
- Complex substrate 54 renders reflectance difference ⁇ R non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over wavelength range ⁇ . These characteristics of reflectance difference ⁇ R increase and make more apparent the contribution of film 52 to total reflectance R T . In turn, having a larger and more apparent signal due to film 52 contributing to beam 62 allows one to more accurately determine the physical parameters of film 52 .
- FIG. 6A shows the variation of total reflectance R T as a function of wavelength ⁇ for a 49 Angstrom thin film of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated on a complex substrate composed of a 2651 Angstrom thick layer of SiO 2 on a 0.5 mm thick layer of Si.
- the graph of theoretical total reflectance R T(th) ( ⁇ ) designated by a dashed line is very close to the measured total reflectance R T ( ⁇ ) designated by a continuous line.
- total reflectance R T ( ⁇ ) has a non-monotonic and appreciably varying form as prescribed by the method of the invention.
- the wavelength range ⁇ of interest extends from 190 nm to 900 nm.
- FIG. 6B shows the corresponding values of physical parameters n and k calculated for the DLC film.
- FIG. 7A shows substrate reflectance R S ( ⁇ ) total reflectance R T ( ⁇ ) with a 48 Angstrom DLC film and reflectance difference ⁇ R( ⁇ ). All three of these graphs are non-monotonic and exhibit an appreciable, oscillatory-type variation. Under these conditions, determination of the physical parameters of the DLC film can be performed to a high degree of accuracy. For example, film thickness can be measured to within 3 Angstroms or less.
- FIG. 7B shows the result of using a conventional substrate with the same 48 Angstrom DLC film. Clearly, substrate reflectance R S ( ⁇ ) is monotonic and not appreciably variable. The same is true of total reflectance R T ( ⁇ ) and therefore also of reflectance difference ⁇ R ( ⁇ ).
- ⁇ R( ⁇ ) is very close to zero indicating that the presence of the DLC film does not significantly contribute to total reflectance R T ( ⁇ ) .
- the signal due to the presence of the DLC film is very low. Under these conditions physical parameters can not be accurately measured and their values can be off by 80% or even more.
- the actual determination of physical parameters of film 52 can be performed in accordance with any known method.
- the computation can be based on a dispersion model or it can disregard dispersion.
- the Forouhi-Bloomer dispersion model is employed by unit 64 to determine the physical parameters.
- the Forouhi-Bloomer model is used to calculate an ideal case total reflectance spectrum or theoretical total reflectance R T(th) of an ideal or reference sample of complex substrate 54 and film 52 .
- Theoretical total reflectance R T(th) is generated by modeling the total reflectance of film 52 and substrate 54 as a function of n f ( ⁇ ), k f ( ⁇ ), t f , ⁇ f , n S1 ( ⁇ ), k S1 ( ⁇ ), t S1 , n S2 ( ⁇ ), k S2 ( ⁇ ) and t S2 ; these are the physical parameters to be determined.
- Interface roughness between layers 66 , 68 as well as the bandgap energies of film 52 and layers 66 , 68 can also be included as physical parameters. The details of this model are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,170.
- unit 64 analyzes or curve fits it by varying the physical parameters of layer 52 around the actual value of the ideal sample.
- the fit can be performed by using any appropriate mathematical fitting method such as a mean average difference fit or a non-linear least squares fit.
- n ( ⁇ ), A, B, C and E g ) are varied to minimize ⁇ .
- the curve fitting is used to determine physical parameters of film 52 within predetermined ranges or tolerances. The tolerances depend on the effectiveness of complex substrate 54 at maximizing the effect of multiple internal reflections within complex substrate 54 and thin film 52 .
- this curve fitting process can be used as a tool in optimizing complex substrate 54 e.g. making the proper selection of layers 66 , 68 . Specifically, complex substrates producing the best quality fits with the smallest tolerances are preferred.
- the graphs in FIG. 8A illustrate the general principles of how the least-squares fit is used to obtain an accurate value of thickness t f of film 52 and determine the best complex substrate 54 to be used in reflectance measurements.
- the dashed and dotted graph 80 represents ⁇ 2 as a function of error or deviation in thickness t f .
- Graph 80 was obtained from total reflectance measurements of film 52 coated on a simple prior art substrate.
- Graph 80 is flat around its minimum. This means that there are no significant constraints on the curve fitting.
- the accuracy with which thickness t f can be determined is low.
- unit 64 has a threshold or resolution limit designated by line 84 and can not distinguish or resolve values below line 84 .
- the accuracy with which thickness t f can be determined from graph 80 is within a wide range ⁇ t f1 .
- Graph 82 of ⁇ 2 vs. error in t f is obtained from total reflectance measurements of film 52 coated on complex substrate 54 of the invention.
- Graph 82 is a much better constrained because the region of graph 82 around the minimum is not as flat as in graph 80 .
- the minimum of graph 82 is sharper or has a higher degree of inflection. Consequently, the accuracy of thickness t f is within a small range ⁇ t f2 . It is preferred that complex substrate 54 be adjusted such that the minimum of graph 82 be as sharp as possible.
- FIG. 8B illustrates graphs of ⁇ 2 vs. t f error obtained for total reflectance measurements of film 52 on a prior art substrate (graph 1 ) and on complex substrate 54 (graphs 2 & 3 ) as follows: 1) DLC (49 ⁇ )/Mag (280 ⁇ )/Cr (400 ⁇ )/NiP; 2) DLC (49 ⁇ )/SiO 2 (2651 ⁇ )/Si (0.5 mm); 3) DLC (149 ⁇ )/SiO 2 (2651 ⁇ )/Si (0.5 mm).
- Curve 1 is for a finished magnetic disk. This curve is very flat, showing lack of constraints in the curve fitting.
- Curve 2 shows significant constraints. Comparing to curve 2 curve 3 shows better constraints, which demonstrate that thicker film has stronger constraints.
- the method of the invention allows one to determine thickness t f to within a tolerance or range ⁇ t f2 of 5 Angstroms or less.
- the lowest values of ⁇ t f2 are achieved by using the Forouhi-Bloomer method in conjunction with a fitting technique which takes into account the degree of inflection of ⁇ 2 around its minimum by including a first derivative of the theoretical and measured total reflectances. Fitting techniques using derivatives are well known in the art.
- This fitting technique is more rigorous and will yield more accurate values for the physical parameters of film 52 and specifically thickness t f .
- this fitting technique is more computationally demanding on unit 64 and may be reserved for ultra-high accuracy determinations of the physical parameters of film 52 .
- a more complex substrate structure can be employed to maximize the effect of internal reflections in accordance with the principles laid out above. In this manner reflectance difference ⁇ R or the signal due to the thin film can be further increased to obtain accurate readings of the film's physical parameters.
- FIG. 9 illustrates a complex substrate 100 having three layers 102 , 104 , 106 .
- An incident test beam 108 is reflected by complex substrate 100 as shown.
- Substrate reflectance R S in this case depends on the parameters of all three layers 102 , 104 and 106 .
- the various paths within complex substrate 100 are not explicitly shown, however, as in the above case, reflections and transmittances take place at top and bottom surfaces 110 , 112 of complex substrate 100 as well as at interfaces 114 , 116 .
- a reflected beam 118 contains contributing light portions 118 a , 118 b , . . . 118 x having different phases with respect to each other.
- reflected beam 118 has a varying intensity or varying substrate reflectance R S as a function of wavelength ⁇ .
- a detector 120 receives reflected beam 118 and measures the signal strength or substrate reflectance R S with changing ⁇ .
- the signal strength measurement is fed to a computing unit 122 which records substrate reflectance R S as a function of wavelength ⁇ over a wavelength range ⁇ .
- the measurement of total reflectance R T is performed by illuminating complex substrate 100 and deposited film 124 with beam 108 over the same wavelength range ⁇ .
- a reflected beam 126 is composed of contributing light portions 126 a , 126 b , . . . 126 x having different phases which vary as a function of wavelength ⁇ .
- a separate detector 120 ′ and computing unit 122 ′ are used to intercept beam 126 and determine total reflectance R T .
- Complex substrate 100 in this embodiment is more intricate by virtue of having three layers. Use of complex substrates with even more layers is also possible. It is important, however, that complex substrate maximize the effect of multiple reflections within the complex substrate and the thin film, as discussed above.
- FIG. 10 illustrates how a transmittance measurement is performed on thin film 200 deposited on a complex substrate 202 consisting of two layers 204 and 206 .
- a light source 208 providing a test beam 210 covering a wavelength range ⁇ is incident on complex substrate 202 and thin film 200 .
- both layers 204 , 206 a transmitted beam 212 issuing from a bottom surface 214 of complex substrate 202 is studied.
- thin film 200 can be deposited on bottom surface 214 .
- a detector 216 is positioned to intercept transmitted beam 212 to measure a total transmittance T T of film 200 and complex substrate 202 .
- detector 216 measures a substrate transmittance T s of complex substrate 202 before film 200 is deposited.
- Detector 216 is connected to a computing unit 218 which calculates the physical parameters of thin film 200 based on total transmittance T T in the same manner as in the embodiments in which the reflected beam is studied.
- physical parameters of thin films can be determined from light properties other than just the intensity of the reflected or transmitted beam. Specifically, the properties of s- and p-polarized light in reflected or transmitted beams can be studied.
- a first polarizer 220 is placed before light source 208 and a second polarizer sometimes also referred to as analyzer 222 is placed before detector 216 . Either one or both polarizers 220 , 222 can be used depending on the desired measurement.
- any ellipsometric measurements can be performed with the aid of one or both polarizers 220 , 222 .
- polarizer 220 may be set to only pass s-polarized light and polarizer 222 may be also be set to only pass s-polarized light.
- test beam 210 incident on film 200 will only contain s-polarization and detector 216 will only detect s-polarization of transmitted beam 212 .
- the same measurement can be repeated with polarizers 220 , 222 switched to pass only p-polarized light.
- Measurement of both polarizations enables one to determine the amplitude ⁇ (Psi) and phase ⁇ (Delta) of transmitted beam 212 from the ratios of the transmitted polarizations.
- the physical parameters of film 200 can then be computed from the results of any one or any combination of ellipsometric measurements.
- FIGS. 11A-D illustrate the results of ellipsometric measurements.
- FIG. 11A shows the graphs of Cos(Delta) for three thickness values of a thin film of DLC on a complex substrate of SiO 2 /Si.
- FIG. 11B illustrates the results of the same measurement for a DLC film deposited on a magnetic disk.
- FIG. 11C shows the measurements of Tan(Psi) of the same thin DLC film
- FIG. 11D illustrates Tan(Psi) for the DLC film deposited on a magnetic disk.
- FIG. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment of a complex substrate 230 for performing reflectance and transmittance measurements of a thin film 232 .
- Substrate 230 has three layers 234 , 236 and 238 selected to maximize the effect of multiple internal reflections within substrate 230 and film 232 .
- the beam paths within substrate 230 and film 232 are not shown for reasons of clarity.
- a light source 240 delivers a test beam 242 spanning wavelength range ⁇ .
- Detectors 244 , 246 are set up to receive reflected beam 248 and transmitted beam 250 respectively.
- Optional polarizers 252 , 254 , 256 are provided for ellipsometric measurements, as necessary.
- Computing units 258 , 260 are connected to detectors 244 , 246 for determining the physical parameters of film 232 .
- units 258 , 260 can be replaced by a single unit.
- substrate 230 which sandwiches film 232 between two of its layers 236 , 238 is improved accuracy in determining the physical parameters. This is illustrated in FIG. 8B for two examples of measuring film thickness t f when substrate 230 sandwiches film 232 .
- These curves show: 4) SiO 2 (1000 ⁇ )/DLC (49 ⁇ ) /SiO 2 (1651 ⁇ )/Si (0.5 mm); 5) SiO 2 (1000 ⁇ )/DLC (49 ⁇ )/SiO 2 (3000 ⁇ )/Si (0.5 mm).
- the sandwiched structure enhances the signal due to film 232 in comparison to structures with the film deposited on top of the complex substrate (curves 2 and 3 ) and thus improves the data analysis precision even more.
- FIG. 13 illustrates how the method of the invention is applied in a system 270 using a monitoring sample 272 .
- Monitoring sample 272 is a complex substrate 274 built of two layers 276 , 278 .
- a light source 280 provides a test beam 282 and a detector 284 is arranged to measure the optical response of sample 272 in the form of reflected beam 286 .
- System 270 has a deposition mechanism 288 e.g., a deposition chamber for depositing a thin film 290 on a substrate 292 e.g., a magnetic medium or other material to be coated.
- a deposition mechanism 288 e.g., a deposition chamber for depositing a thin film 290 on a substrate 292 e.g., a magnetic medium or other material to be coated.
- Monitoring sample 272 also advances through chamber 288 and is coated with film 290 under the same conditions as medium 292 . Care has to be taken to ensure that the deposition rates on monitoring sample 272 are equal to those on medium 292 .
- Measurement of total reflectance R T by detector 284 is processed by a computing unit (not shown) to determine the physical parameters of film 290 .
- a computing unit not shown
- the method of the invention is used to determine one or more physical parameters of a thin film, e.g., the values on n and k, then the film can be coated on a regular substrate as necessary.
- the values of n and k obtained in accordance with the invention will aid in determining the thickness of the film deposited on a regular substrate in accordance with prior art methods.
- FIG. 14 compares thickness measurements of a DLC film performed by the method of the present invention with two popular prior art methods.
- the triangles and circles indicate thickness data points obtained with the method of the invention.
- the rotated squares indicate the data points collected by the step-height method and the upright squares indicate data obtained with an atomic force microscope.
Abstract
A method and an apparatus for optically determining a physical parameter such as thickness t, index of refraction n, extinction coefficient k or a related physical parameter such as energy bandgap Eg of a thin film. A test beam having a wavelength range Δλ is used to illuminate the thin film after it is deposited on a complex substrate which has at least two layers and exhibits a non-monotonic and an appreciably variable substrate optical response over wavelength range Δλ. Alternatively, the thin film can be deposited between the at least two layers of the complex substrate. A measurement of a total optical response, consisting of the substrate optical response and an optical response difference due to the thin film is performed over wavelength range Δλ. The at least two layers making up the complex substrate are chosen such that the effect of multiple internal reflections in the complex substrate and the film is maximized. The physical parameters are determined from the total optical response which can be in the form of a reflected and/or a transmitted beam.
Description
This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for optically determining physical parameters of thin films deposited on a complex substrate, and in particular to measurements of thin films on complex substrates for obtaining physical parameters such as thickness t, refraction index n and extinction coefficient k.
The determination of physical parameters of thin films is very important, since many modern technologies rely on thin films for various functions. For example, thin films are used for optical and/or mechanical protection of surfaces, alteration of surface optical and/or mechanical properties and for many other purposes. For example, in the manufacture of magnetic hard disks thin films exhibiting high hardness and high wearing resistance (e.g., diamond-like-carbon (DLC)) are used to protect the disk surface.
The most commonly investigated physical parameters of thin films include their thickness t, index of refraction n, extinction coefficient k, surface roughness σ (at the interface between the thin film and the substrate on which it is deposited) and energy bandgap Eg which is related to extinction coefficient k. Knowledge of parameters t, n and k tends to be most important in practical applications. In particular, the thickness t of the thin film is frequently crucial and has to be known to a very high degree of accuracy. This presents considerable difficulty, since t for thin films typically ranges from 1,000 Angstroms down to tens of Angstroms and less. In this range, typical optical measurements are not very reliable.
Various prior art techniques exist for examining thin films. U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,492 to Reichert employs a standard interference technique for measuring film thickness based on observing the interference between the light reflected from the top and bottom surfaces of the thin film. Greenberg et al. teaches in U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,949 that film thickness can be determined by examining the interference pattern and reflectance data from a reflectance pattern, respectively to determine film thickness profile. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,509 Wada et al. describe a how to measure thicknesses of several films using a reflectance measuring device.
Still another approach to determining thin film thickness is taught by Hattori et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,596. In accordance with this technique the light from a light source is modulated to produce a modulated interference light. This modulated light is reflected from the thin film and used by a number of photodetectors to derive film thickness.
Ellipsometry is another technique used to measure physical parameters of thin films. In this method n and k are determined by measuring the change in the state of polarization of the reflected light. Ellipsometry requires complex instrumentation and needs certain sophistication in interpretation of the measurements.
Unfortunately, the above prior art approaches yield less and less satisfactory results for the thin film parameters with decreasing film thickness due to poor signal-to-noise ratios.
To overcome these limitations, several prior art techniques rely on comparisons of reflectance data obtained from thin films and monitoring samples. For example, Sandercock teaches in U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,903 to compare the reflection of polychromatic light from a reference or standard thin film with the reflection obtained from a film of unknown thickness. Mumola teaches in U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,150 the use of a separate reference wafer which has a thin film layer similar to that being coated on the actual wafer. A broadband beam of radiation illuminates the sample wafer and yields a reflected beam having a unique spectral radiation (spectral signature). Film thickness is identified when the spectral pattern of this reflected beam matches that of the beam reflected from the reference wafer. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,111 to Kondo teaches a method of measuring film thickness using a reflectance sample having a known reflectance for each value of film thickness dx. The reflectances for the various thicknesses are stored in a table and compared to those obtained when examining a sample.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,767 Case et al. disclose a technique and apparatus for measuring the thickness of epitaxial layers by infrared reflectance. The technique relies on taking the Fourier transform of the signal reflected from the epi layer using a Fourier transform IR spectrometer and comparing the result with theoretical values obtained beforehand. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,840 Nishizawa et al. also rely on a Fourier transformation to obtain an interference waveform dispersion spectrum which is compared with a waveform obtained by numerical calculation using an optical characteristic matrix. Waveform fitting between theoretical and measured spectra is used to obtain film thickness. U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,366 to Bevis et al. discloses a thin film thickness monitor which performs the measurement based on a comparison between the reflection of polychromatic light from a reference thin film and the sample thin film. U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,340 to Clapis et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,472 to Ledger also teach how to measure film thicknesses based on reference samples yielding reference reflectance signals.
All of the above optical approaches to measuring thin film thickness and any other physical parameters of the thin film are complicated and not capable of providing the desired levels of accuracy. In particular, the above techniques can not be used for measuring thin films in thickness ranges of tens of Angstroms with an accuracy of less than 5 Angstroms. Moreover, none of these methods can determine the n, k and t values of a thin film simultaneously.
The prior art also teaches non-optical methods of determining thin film thicknesses. For example, atomic force microscopy (AFM) employing a deflectable stylus can be used to determine film thicknesses by surface profiling. The drawbacks of this technique are that it requires a physical step which is destructive to the thin film or degrades its surface. In addition, this technique can not be used to determine other physical parameters of the thin film, such as the n, k and Eg values.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,170 Forouhi et al. describe an optical method for determining the physical parameters of a thin film in amorphous semiconductors and dielectrics. This technique is very accurate and it takes into account the quantum mechanical nature of the light and thin film interaction. Unfortunately, it can not generate sufficiently accurate thickness readings and simultaneously determine n and k values for thin films deposited on substrates having a relatively “smooth” reflectance spectrum. Such substrates are very commonly used, however, and include many typical substrate materials, e.g., Si, quartz, Mg, Cr and Ni and AlTiC alloys used in the semiconductor and magnetic storage technologies as well as polycarbonate (PC) used in optical disks.
Hence, there is a pressing need to develop an approach which will enable one to measure the thickness as well as other physical properties of thin films on various substrates to a high degree of accuracy. Specifically, it would be very desirable to provide a non-destructive measurement method for determining film thickness to an accuracy of 5 to 2 Angstroms or less in films whose thickness is less than 100 Angstroms or even less than 10 Angstroms. Furthermore, the method should be capable of identifying additional physical parameters of the thin film such as the values of n, k and Eg.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for optically determining physical parameters of thin films. In particular, the apparatus and method should enable one to determine film thickness t to within 5 Angstroms and yield accurate values of physical parameters including n, k and Eg.
It is another object of the invention to enable one to evaluate the above physical parameters of thin films in a non-destructive manner.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide for the apparatus of the invention to be simple and cost-effective to implement. Additionally, the method of the invention should be easy to employ in practical situations.
The above objects and advantages, as well as numerous improvements attained by the apparatus and method of the invention are pointed out below.
These objects and advantages are secured by a method for optically determining a physical parameter including thickness t, index of refraction n and extinction coefficient k of a thin film. The method can also be used to determine related physical parameters, such as energy bandgap Eg related to the extinction coefficient k of the material of the thin film. The method calls for providing a test beam having a wavelength range Δλ and providing a complex substrate which has at least two layers and exhibits a non-monotonic and an appreciably variable substrate optical response over wavelength range Δλ. The thin film is deposited on the complex substrate. A measurement of a total optical response, consisting of the substrate optical response and an optical response difference due to the thin film is performed over wavelength range Δλ. The physical parameters are then determined from the total optical response.
In one case the substrate optical response is a substrate reflectance and the total optical response is a total reflectance due to the reflectance of the substrate and a reflectance difference due to the presence of the thin film. Thus, illumination with the test beam produces a reflected beam.
The reflected beam can be analyzed to determine the physical parameter from any one or from any combination of the properties of light making up the reflected beam. These properties include phase, amplitude, s-polarization, p-polarization, s-polarization amplitude, p-polarization amplitude, s-polarization phase and p-polarization phase. In a particular case, the reflectance measurement can involve an ellipsometric technique.
When the optical response examined is reflectance, the step of determining the physical parameters is based on a model of n and k of the substrate and thin film. In the preferred embodiment the Forouhi-Bloomer method is used for modeling n and k. Other dispersion models can also be used. In some cases, no dispersion model is necessary. The model yields a theoretical total reflectance value RT(th) and this theoretical value is compared to the total reflectance RT obtained during the measurement. The comparison of these values is performed and the parameters of the model are adjusted to conform with the observed value. The values of the physical parameters are then obtained from the model. The fitting of the theoretical and measured values can be performed by a fitting technique such as non-linear least squares fit, a mean absolute difference fit or any other suitable technique.
The physical parameters can also be determined based on optical transmittance. In this case the optical response is a substrate transmittance and the total optical response is a total transmittance due to the transmittance of the substrate and a transmittance difference due to the presence of the thin film.
Illumination with the test beam produces a transmitted beam. The transmitted beam can be analyzed to determine the physical parameter from any one or from any combination of the properties of light making up the transmitted beam. As in the case of the reflected beam, the properties of the transmitted beam which can be examined include phase, amplitude, s-polarization, p-polarization, s-polarization amplitude, p-polarization amplitude, s-polarization phase and p-polarization phase. In a particular case, the transmittance can be analyzed by an ellipsometric technique.
The step of determining the physical parameter from the transmitted beam can be based on transmittance model of the substrate and thin film. The model yields a theoretical total transmittance value TT(th) and this theoretical value is compared to the total transmittance TT obtained during the measurement. As in the reflective approach, the value of the physical parameters is obtained from the model. A fitting technique such as non-linear least squares fit, a mean absolute difference fit or any other suitable technique can be employed as well. In the preferred embodiment the Forouhi-Bloomer method is used for modeling transmittance. Other dispersion models can also be used. In some cases, no dispersion model is necessary.
The complex substrate is selected to have a non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable substrate optical response over wavelength range Δλ. This can be achieved when the at least two layers making up the complex substrate are chosen such that the effect of multiple internal reflections in the complex substrate and the film is maximized.
An apparatus for optically determining the physical parameters of the thin film employs the complex substrate which is made up of at least two layers and has the above-mentioned substrate optical response characteristics over wavelength range Δλ. The apparatus has a light source for illuminating the complex substrate and the thin film deposited on it with a test beam spanning the wavelength range Δλ. A detector is provided for measuring the total optical response, e.g., a reflected beam and/or a transmitted beam. A computing unit in communication with the detector determines the physical parameter from the total optical response.
The material composition of each of the layers is selected such that optical response difference is non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over Δλ. For example, the materials are SiO2, Si or SiOxNy. These materials and their thicknesses are selected to maximize the effect of multiple internal reflections in the complex substrate and the thin film. The apparatus can be adapted for making measurements of transmittance and/or reflectance of the complex substrate and the thin film. The physical parameters are determined by the computing unit which obtains its data from the detector set up to detect the transmitted or reflected beam.
A polarizer can be provided to polarize the test beam. Another polarizer, or analyzer, can be placed in the path of the reflected or transmitted beam. The use of such polarizers or analyzers depends on what kind of light characteristics, i.e., s-polarization or p-polarization or their ratios (ellipsometric techniques), of the reflected or transmitted beams are measured to determine the physical parameters of the thin film.
Furthermore, a monitoring sample for optically monitoring the physical parameter of a thin film in accordance with the invention can be used in a monitoring system. For example, a deposition chamber for depositing thin films on a substrate can employ a monitoring sample to determine from it the physical parameters of the thin film being deposited on the substrate. Of course, the monitoring sample can be measured in the reflective or transmissive arrangement, as necessary or preferable.
In another embodiment of the invention, the thin film whose physical parameters are to be determined can be deposited between two of the layers making up the complex substrate. In this case the complex substrate is likewise designed to maximize the effect of multiple internal reflections within the substrate and the thin film.
The particulars of the invention and its various embodiments are described in detail in the detailed description section with reference to the attached drawing figures.
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a generic prior art reflectance measurement system.
FIG. 2 is a general diagram illustrating the well-known principles of multiple reflection in a two-layer structure.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the reflectance of a thin DLC film on a magnetic substrate measured according to the prior art.
FIG. 4 is an isometric view showing a complex substrate coated with a thin film according to the invention.
FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view illustrating the light paths in the complex substrate of FIG. 4 in the absence of the thin film.
FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view illustrating the light paths in the complex substrate of FIG. 4 in the presence of the thin film.
FIG. 6A is a graph of a total reflectance RT of a thin film of DLC on a complex substrate of SiO2/Si according to the invention.
FIG. 6B is a graph of the n and k coefficients obtained for the DLC film in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 7A is a graph of substrate reflectance RS, total reflectance RT and reflectance difference ΔR obtained using a complex substrate according to the invention.
FIG. 7B is a graph of substrate reflectance RS, total reflectance RT and reflectance difference ΔR obtained using a prior art substrate.
FIG. 8A-B are graphs illustrating the adjustment of a fitting parameter δ used in deriving the values of film thickness according to the invention.
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a general complex substrate according to the invention.
FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of an arrangement for transmittance measurements in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 11A-D are graphs illustrating ellipsometric measurements.
FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of an arrangement for transmittance and reflectance measurements of a thin film sandwiched between two layers of a complex substrate according to the invention.
FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a system employing a monitoring sample with a complex substrate.
FIG. 14 is a graph comparing the performance of a film thickness measurement according to the invention with several prior art measurements.
Theoretical and Prior Art Review
The invention will be best understood after reviewing a typical prior art arrangement 10 for measuring physical properties of a film 12 deposited on a substrate 14 as shown in FIG. 1. Arrangement 10 has a light source 16 for illuminating film 12 with a test beam 18.A detector 20 receives a light beam 22 reflected off film 12 and substrate 14.Typically, the wavelength λ of beam 18 is varied over a certain range so that beam 22 can be studied as a function of wavelength λ.
FIG. 2 shows the propagation of beam 18 inside film 12 and substrate 14.Beam 18 is incident on film 12 at an angle of incidence θi1. This angle is typically very small; in other words, beam 18 strikes a surface 23 of film 12 at near-normal incidence. A portion 22 a of reflected beam 22 is reflected directly from surface 23 at an angle of reflection θr1 (where θi1=θr1). The remaining portion of beam 18 is transmitted through film 12 and refracted or bent towards the normal in accordance with Snell's law. The light arriving at an interface 24 between substrate 14 and film 12 is thus incident on interface 24 at an angle of incidence θi2 smaller than angle θi1. Once again, a portion of the light is reflected at interface 24 at an angle of reflection θr2 (where θi2=θr2) and a portion is transmitted and refracted. Another reflection and transmittance occur at a surface 25 of substrate 14 where a portion of the light incident at θi3 is reflected at θr3 (θi3=θr3) and a portion 26 a is transmitted.
In most situations the interference inside substrate 14 is incoherent because coherence is not preserved between internally reflected and transmitted light portions. This is chiefly due to the optical characteristics of substrate 14 and its thickness. For this reason, the numerous reflections and transmittances occurring at surfaces 23, 25 and at interface 24 and for which coherence is not preserved are indicated in dashed lines. Reflected beam 22 is composed of many light portions 22 a, 22 b, . . . 22 x which propagate along different paths and undergo various combinations of reflections and transmittances. Among light portions 22 a, 22 b, . . . 22 x those which interfere incoherently, i.e., light portions 22 c . . . 22 x, cancel and hence do not contribute to reflected beam 22.
Those light portions which interfere coherently, i.e., light portions 22 a, 22 b produce a non-zero interference signal and hence contribute to reflected beam 22. The differences in distances traveled or path length differences between portions 22 a, 22 b introduce relative phase shifts between portions 22 a, 22 b. The phase shifts cause interference between the individual portions 22 a, 22 b of reflected beam 22.
It is known in the art that path length differences between various light portions depend on a thickness t1, of film 12, a thickness t2 of substrate 14 and indices or refraction n1, n2 of film 12 and substrate 14 respectively. For example, in a simple model, portions 22 a and 22 b of beam 22 exhibit a phase shift δ=2πΔ/λ where Δ=2nt1 cos θ is the path length difference between portions 22 a and 22 b related to thickness t1, of film 12. The interference produced between portions 22 a and 22 b is characteristic of this path length difference A. When λ is known then one can calculate Δ in terms of λ and use the equation to obtain thickness t1.
In practice, the situation is more complicated. Extinction coefficients k1, k2 of film 12 and substrate 14 describe the absorption of light and hence dictate the intensities of the individual light portions. The values n1, n2 and k1, k2 depend on wavelength λ of light of beam 18; that is, the values of these coefficients vary as a function of wavelength λ (n=n(λ) and k=k (λ)). In fact, for any material n(λ) and k(λ) represent a “fingerprint” of the material. Furthermore, in many cases there exists a strong correlation between n(λ) and k(λ) and more tangible physical parameters such as composition or degree of “diamond-like” character, bandgap energy Eg, the electrical properties of the material and many other parameters.
There are several models for describing how the physical parameters of film 12 affect the spectrum of beam 22. A particularly useful prior art model is the Forouhi-Bloomer technique described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,170 which determines physical parameters of film 12 based on the following equations:
In these equations E is the photon energy, which is related to wavelength λ according to E=hc/λ, where h is Planck's constant and c is the speed of light in vacuum. Eg is the bandgap energy or the minimum photon energy required for absorption, and A, B and C are parameters directly related to the electronic structure of the material of film 12. The term n(∞) represents the value of n(λ) as λ tends toward infinity. The quantities B0 and C0 are not independent parameters but depend on A, B, C and Eg. The equation for n(E) is derived from the equation for k(E) through the well-known Kramers-Kronig dispersion relation.
The Forouhi-Bloomer model incorporates the above equations into the Fresnel coefficients, along with a factor that depends on interface roughness σ, to generate a calculated or theoretical reflectance spectrum, Rth of reflected beam 22. The quantity Rth is then compared to the experimentally measured reflectance spectrum, R, over a wavelength range Δλ of light beam 18. This comparison is performed with the aid of a non-linear least-squares fit:
Typically, wavelength range Δλ is selected from 190 nm to 900 nm in 1 nm intervals; thus, N=711. To obtain the values of the physical parameters of film 12 the quantities involving these physical parameters, specifically thickness t1, roughness σ, A, B, C, n (∞) and Eg are varied such that δ is minimized. This minimization is complete after several iterations. The final parameters then yield the physical parameters including t1, n(λ), k(λ), σ and Eg.
As thickness t1, of film 12 decreases, e.g., to less than 100 Angstroms, and when substrate 14 has a relatively “smooth” reflectance spectrum (i.e., a monotonic and slowly variable reflectance spectrum) over wavelength range Δλ then the Forouhi-Bloomer technique as well as the other prior art techniques based on reflectance become inaccurate. This is because the response of the substrate and the thin film does not exhibit sufficient variation in the reflected signal to yield good data for model calculations. FIG. 3 illustrates the smooth reflectance spectrum of beam 22 for Δλ ranging from 190 nm to 900 nm obtained when film 12 is made of diamond-like carbon (DLC) and substrate 14 is a magnetic material (e.g., magnetic disk). Clearly, the spectrum does not vary much for film thicknesses of 49 Angstroms, 65 Angstroms and 92 Angstroms— graphs 40, 42, 44 respectively. Hence, it is not possible to derive accurate values for the physical parameters based on the graphs of FIG. 3.
Of course, a transmittance measurement can be used with or instead of a reflectance measurement when the substrate is not opaque. In other words, arrangement 10 of FIG. 1 can be set up to intercept a transmitted beam 26 as shown in FIG. 2 composed of beam portions 26 a, 26 b, . . . 26 x, which interfere with each other due to path length differences in a manner analogous to that in reflected beam portions 22 a, 22 b, . . . 22 x. Transmitted beam 26 can then be used to determine the physical parameters. Again, any dispersion model, including the Forouhi-Bloomer model can be used to determine the n and k spectra. At small thickness t1, of film 12 these transmittance measurements are once again incapable of delivering accurate values for the physical parameters.
FIG. 4 illustrates an apparatus 50 in accordance with the invention for measuring physical parameters of a thin film 52 deposited on a complex substrate 54. Film 52 can have a thickness tf of less than 100 Angstroms and even less than 10 Angstroms. Apparatus 50 has a light source 56 for delivering a test beam 58. Light source 56 can be a tunable laser or any other suitable light source or combination of light sources for producing stable light spanning a wavelength range Δλ, e.g., from 190 nm to 900 nm. Light source 56 is oriented such that beam 58 illuminates or is incident on complex substrate 54 and film 52 at a near-normal incidence. In principle, however, angle of incidence θi can have any value.
A detector 60 is positioned above complex substrate 54 for receiving a total optical response signal to illumination by beam 58. In this case, the total optical response is in the form of a light beam 62 reflected by complex substrate 54 and thin film 52. Detector 60 is a charge-coupled device (CCD), a diode array or any other suitable light detector which can reliably detect light over wavelength range Δλ. A computing unit 64 is connected to detector 60 for processing the reflectance data obtained by detector 60. Computing unit 64 can be a personal computer or any suitable data processing device, as necessary.
It is important that complex substrate 54 exhibit a non-monotonic and appreciably variable substrate reflectance RS over wavelength range Δλ. In this embodiment these two requirements are fulfilled because complex substrate 54 is made up of two layers 66, 68 of material. Layers 66, 68 have thicknesses tS1 and tS2 which are on the order of or larger than any wavelength λ contained in wavelength range Δλ. Consequently, substrate reflectance RS varies appreciably as a function of λ (RS=RS(λ)).
The variation in substrate reflectance RS is elucidated in reference to the cross sectional view of FIG. 5A. At a first wavelength λ1 selected from wavelength range Δλ reflected beam 62 contains light portions having certain phases due to the path length differences, as explained above. These phases of the light portions making up reflected beam 62 are indicated by φa, φb, . . . φx and they differ with respect to each other. As before, the interference of the light portions is incoherent for light portions undergoing multiple internal reflections and transmissions and does not contribute to reflected beam 62. The non-contributing light portions are drawn in dashed lines. The light portions which remain coherent produce a resultant interference signal 70. It is noted that interference signal 70 is shown to have a spatial extent in FIG. 5A for explanatory purposes. In practice the coherently interfering light portions produce reflected beam 62 which represents the sum total of all the interfering light portions. This sum total is the total signal level or total signal of reflected beam 62 as registered by detector 60. At a second wavelength λ2 selected from wavelength range Δλ phases φa, φb, . . . φx have different values and hence they produce a different interference signal 70′ from the light portions which remain coherent. Hence, the total signal of reflected beam 62 changes.
The total signals generated by detector 60 correspond to the total light intensities of interference signals 70 and 70′ produced at detector 60 respectively. Since interference signals 70, 70′ vary significantly, the light intensity detected by detector 60 also varies significantly. In other words, substrate reflectance RS varies significantly as a function of λ (RS=RS(λ)) because of the corresponding variation in the interference pattern in reflected beam 62. This variation is maximized over all wavelengths within wavelength range Δλ and in particular at wavelengths at which substrate reflectance RS is measured. For example, substrate reflectance RS can be measured at 1 nm wavelength increments between 190 nm and 900 nm.
Specifically, the variation of substrate reflectance RS(λ) has to be non-zero (significant), non-monotonic and appreciably variable over wavelength range Δλ. Preferably, substrate reflectance RS(λ) has an oscillatory form over wavelength range Δλ. A person of average skill in the art will realize that this condition will require proper selection of materials making up layers 66, 68 of complex substrate 54. In particular, a person skilled in the art will recognize that this goal is achieved by selecting layers 66, 68 having certain thicknesses tS1, tS2 on the order of or larger than the shortest wavelength contained in wavelength range Δλ. Furthermore, layers 66, 68 have to have certain indices of refraction nS1, nS2 and extinction coefficients kS1, kS2. Layers 66, 68 are selected to maximize the effect of multiple internal reflections in complex substrate 54. To achieve this effect layer 66 should exhibit a very small value kS1, at least over wavelength range Δλ. In other words, layer 66 should preferably act as a transparent material over wavelength range Δλ.
Optical determination of film thickness tf of film 52 is based on the values of total reflectance RT obtained by illuminating complex substrate 54 with beam 58 after film 52 is deposited. Total reflectance RT consists of substrate reflectance RS and a reflectance difference due to the presence of thin film 52. The value of substrate reflectance RS is an important reference value and it is measured first before depositing film 52. Alternatively, film 52 may not be deposited on entire complex substrate 54 as indicated in FIG. 4. In the latter case, substrate reflectance RS can be re-measured at any time, as indicated in dashed lines in FIG. 4.
FIG. 5B illustrates the measurement of total reflectance RT. At first wavelength λ1 reflected beam 62 has reflected light portions ra, rb, . . . rx with different phases γa, γb, . . . γx. Once again, because of loss of coherence, some of the light portions undergoing multiple reflections and transmissions within complex substrate 54 do not contribute to reflected beam 62. These non-contributing light portions are indicated by dashed lines. The remaining light portions, due to the differences between phases γa, γb, . . . γx, produce a resultant interference signal 72 corresponding to a total signal level of reflected beam 62 registered at detector 60. It should be noted that light portions undergoing internal reflections within film 52 retain their coherence and hence contribute to resultant interference signal 72. At second wavelength λ2 selected from wavelength range Δλ phase shifts γa, γb, . . . γx of contributing light portions have different values and hence they produce a different interference signal 72′.
The total signals generated by detector 60 correspond to the total light intensities of interference signals 72 and 72′. produced at detector 60 respectively. Since interference signals 72, 72′ vary significantly, the light intensity detected by detector 60 also varies significantly. In other words, total reflectance RT varies significantly as a function of λ (RT=RT(λ)) because of the corresponding variation in the interference pattern in reflected beam 62. Once again, total reflectance RT can be measured at 1 nm wavelength increments between 190 nm and 900 nm.
The structure of complex substrate 54 maximizes the effect of multiple internal reflections in substrate 54 and film 52. Specifically, by maximizing the number of reflections within substrate 54 the quantity of light portions making up reflected beam 62 is large. Thus, the total path length of reflected beam 62 in film 52 is maximized. The path length of reflected beam 62 in film 52 is further increased by taking into account the n and k values of film 52 when selecting nS1, nS2 and kS1, kS2 values of layers 66, 68. A person of average skill in the art will be able to make the appropriate choice of materials.
Total reflectance RT is a signal which is a combination of substrate reflectance RS and a reflectance difference ΔR due to film 52. Complex substrate 54 renders reflectance difference ΔR non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over wavelength range Δλ. These characteristics of reflectance difference ΔR increase and make more apparent the contribution of film 52 to total reflectance RT. In turn, having a larger and more apparent signal due to film 52 contributing to beam 62 allows one to more accurately determine the physical parameters of film 52.
Practical applications of the method of the invention yield excellent results. In particular, FIG. 6A shows the variation of total reflectance RT as a function of wavelength λ for a 49 Angstrom thin film of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated on a complex substrate composed of a 2651 Angstrom thick layer of SiO2 on a 0.5 mm thick layer of Si. The graph of theoretical total reflectance RT(th) (λ) designated by a dashed line is very close to the measured total reflectance RT (λ) designated by a continuous line. Clearly, total reflectance RT (λ) has a non-monotonic and appreciably varying form as prescribed by the method of the invention. The wavelength range Δλ of interest extends from 190 nm to 900 nm. FIG. 6B shows the corresponding values of physical parameters n and k calculated for the DLC film.
FIG. 7A shows substrate reflectance RS(λ) total reflectance RT(λ) with a 48 Angstrom DLC film and reflectance difference ΔR(λ). All three of these graphs are non-monotonic and exhibit an appreciable, oscillatory-type variation. Under these conditions, determination of the physical parameters of the DLC film can be performed to a high degree of accuracy. For example, film thickness can be measured to within 3 Angstroms or less. For comparison, FIG. 7B shows the result of using a conventional substrate with the same 48 Angstrom DLC film. Clearly, substrate reflectance RS(λ) is monotonic and not appreciably variable. The same is true of total reflectance RT(λ) and therefore also of reflectance difference ΔR (λ). To compound these problems, ΔR(λ) is very close to zero indicating that the presence of the DLC film does not significantly contribute to total reflectance RT(λ) . In other words, the signal due to the presence of the DLC film is very low. Under these conditions physical parameters can not be accurately measured and their values can be off by 80% or even more.
The actual determination of physical parameters of film 52 can be performed in accordance with any known method. The computation can be based on a dispersion model or it can disregard dispersion. Preferably, the Forouhi-Bloomer dispersion model is employed by unit 64 to determine the physical parameters.
Specifically, the Forouhi-Bloomer model is used to calculate an ideal case total reflectance spectrum or theoretical total reflectance RT(th) of an ideal or reference sample of complex substrate 54 and film 52. Theoretical total reflectance RT(th) is generated by modeling the total reflectance of film 52 and substrate 54 as a function of nf(λ), kf(λ), tf, σf, nS1(λ), kS1 (λ), tS1, nS2(λ), kS2(λ) and tS2; these are the physical parameters to be determined. Interface roughness between layers 66, 68 as well as the bandgap energies of film 52 and layers 66, 68 can also be included as physical parameters. The details of this model are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,170.
Once theoretical total reflectance RT(th) is calculated, unit 64 analyzes or curve fits it by varying the physical parameters of layer 52 around the actual value of the ideal sample. The fit can be performed by using any appropriate mathematical fitting method such as a mean average difference fit or a non-linear least squares fit. In this case the non-linear least squares fit is used which minimizes the value of δ expressed as follows:
In the present example N is 711, since reflectances are measured in 1 nm increments over Δλ=710 nm (from 190 nm to 900 nm) During curve fitting the physical parameters and the Forouhi-Bloomer parameters (n (∞), A, B, C and Eg) are varied to minimize δ. Several iterations are usually necessary to obtain minimum δ. The curve fitting is used to determine physical parameters of film 52 within predetermined ranges or tolerances. The tolerances depend on the effectiveness of complex substrate 54 at maximizing the effect of multiple internal reflections within complex substrate 54 and thin film 52. A person skilled in the art will recognize that this curve fitting process can be used as a tool in optimizing complex substrate 54 e.g. making the proper selection of layers 66, 68. Specifically, complex substrates producing the best quality fits with the smallest tolerances are preferred.
The graphs in FIG. 8A illustrate the general principles of how the least-squares fit is used to obtain an accurate value of thickness tf of film 52 and determine the best complex substrate 54 to be used in reflectance measurements. The dashed and dotted graph 80 represents δ2 as a function of error or deviation in thickness tf. Graph 80 was obtained from total reflectance measurements of film 52 coated on a simple prior art substrate. Graph 80 is flat around its minimum. This means that there are no significant constraints on the curve fitting. Thus, the accuracy with which thickness tf can be determined is low. In this case unit 64 has a threshold or resolution limit designated by line 84 and can not distinguish or resolve values below line 84. Hence, the accuracy with which thickness tf can be determined from graph 80 is within a wide range Δtf1.
As an example, FIG. 8B illustrates graphs of δ2 vs. tf error obtained for total reflectance measurements of film 52 on a prior art substrate (graph 1) and on complex substrate 54 (graphs 2&3) as follows: 1) DLC (49 Å)/Mag (280 Å)/Cr (400 Å)/NiP; 2) DLC (49 Å)/SiO2 (2651 Å)/Si (0.5 mm); 3) DLC (149 Å)/SiO2 (2651 Å)/Si (0.5 mm). Curve 1 is for a finished magnetic disk. This curve is very flat, showing lack of constraints in the curve fitting. Curve 2 shows significant constraints. Comparing to curve 2 curve 3 shows better constraints, which demonstrate that thicker film has stronger constraints.
The method of the invention allows one to determine thickness tf to within a tolerance or range Δtf2 of 5 Angstroms or less. In fact, the lowest values of Δtf2 are achieved by using the Forouhi-Bloomer method in conjunction with a fitting technique which takes into account the degree of inflection of δ2 around its minimum by including a first derivative of the theoretical and measured total reflectances. Fitting techniques using derivatives are well known in the art. For example, the following curve fitting utilizing the first derivative can be employed:
This fitting technique is more rigorous and will yield more accurate values for the physical parameters of film 52 and specifically thickness tf. Of course, this fitting technique is more computationally demanding on unit 64 and may be reserved for ultra-high accuracy determinations of the physical parameters of film 52.
In alternative embodiments of the invention, a more complex substrate structure can be employed to maximize the effect of internal reflections in accordance with the principles laid out above. In this manner reflectance difference ΔR or the signal due to the thin film can be further increased to obtain accurate readings of the film's physical parameters.
FIG. 9 illustrates a complex substrate 100 having three layers 102, 104, 106. An incident test beam 108 is reflected by complex substrate 100 as shown. Substrate reflectance RS in this case depends on the parameters of all three layers 102, 104 and 106. The various paths within complex substrate 100 are not explicitly shown, however, as in the above case, reflections and transmittances take place at top and bottom surfaces 110, 112 of complex substrate 100 as well as at interfaces 114, 116. Hence, a reflected beam 118 contains contributing light portions 118 a, 118 b, . . . 118 x having different phases with respect to each other. The differences between the phases of light portions 118 a, 118 b, . . . 118 x vary as a function of wavelength λ of beam 108. Therefore, reflected beam 118 has a varying intensity or varying substrate reflectance RS as a function of wavelength λ.
A detector 120 receives reflected beam 118 and measures the signal strength or substrate reflectance RS with changing λ. The signal strength measurement is fed to a computing unit 122 which records substrate reflectance RS as a function of wavelength λ over a wavelength range Δλ.
As in the previous embodiment, the measurement of total reflectance RT is performed by illuminating complex substrate 100 and deposited film 124 with beam 108 over the same wavelength range Δλ. In this case a reflected beam 126 is composed of contributing light portions 126 a, 126 b, . . . 126 x having different phases which vary as a function of wavelength λ. A separate detector 120′ and computing unit 122′ are used to intercept beam 126 and determine total reflectance RT.
FIG. 10 illustrates how a transmittance measurement is performed on thin film 200 deposited on a complex substrate 202 consisting of two layers 204 and 206. Once again, a light source 208 providing a test beam 210 covering a wavelength range Δλ is incident on complex substrate 202 and thin film 200. In this case both layers 204, 206 a transmitted beam 212 issuing from a bottom surface 214 of complex substrate 202 is studied. It should be noted that in an alternative embodiment, thin film 200 can be deposited on bottom surface 214.
A detector 216 is positioned to intercept transmitted beam 212 to measure a total transmittance TT of film 200 and complex substrate 202. For reference, detector 216 measures a substrate transmittance Ts of complex substrate 202 before film 200 is deposited. Detector 216 is connected to a computing unit 218 which calculates the physical parameters of thin film 200 based on total transmittance TT in the same manner as in the embodiments in which the reflected beam is studied.
In accordance with the invention, physical parameters of thin films can be determined from light properties other than just the intensity of the reflected or transmitted beam. Specifically, the properties of s- and p-polarized light in reflected or transmitted beams can be studied. For this purpose, a first polarizer 220 is placed before light source 208 and a second polarizer sometimes also referred to as analyzer 222 is placed before detector 216. Either one or both polarizers 220, 222 can be used depending on the desired measurement.
A person of average skill in the art will appreciate that any ellipsometric measurements can be performed with the aid of one or both polarizers 220, 222. For example, polarizer 220 may be set to only pass s-polarized light and polarizer 222 may be also be set to only pass s-polarized light. In this case test beam 210 incident on film 200 will only contain s-polarization and detector 216 will only detect s-polarization of transmitted beam 212. The same measurement can be repeated with polarizers 220, 222 switched to pass only p-polarized light. Measurement of both polarizations enables one to determine the amplitude Ψ (Psi) and phase Δ (Delta) of transmitted beam 212 from the ratios of the transmitted polarizations. The physical parameters of film 200 can then be computed from the results of any one or any combination of ellipsometric measurements.
FIGS. 11A-D illustrate the results of ellipsometric measurements. FIG. 11A shows the graphs of Cos(Delta) for three thickness values of a thin film of DLC on a complex substrate of SiO2/Si. For comparison FIG. 11B illustrates the results of the same measurement for a DLC film deposited on a magnetic disk. FIG. 11C shows the measurements of Tan(Psi) of the same thin DLC film, and FIG. 11D illustrates Tan(Psi) for the DLC film deposited on a magnetic disk.
FIG. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment of a complex substrate 230 for performing reflectance and transmittance measurements of a thin film 232. Substrate 230 has three layers 234, 236 and 238 selected to maximize the effect of multiple internal reflections within substrate 230 and film 232. The beam paths within substrate 230 and film 232 are not shown for reasons of clarity. As in the previous embodiments, a light source 240 delivers a test beam 242 spanning wavelength range Δλ. Detectors 244, 246 are set up to receive reflected beam 248 and transmitted beam 250 respectively. Optional polarizers 252, 254, 256 are provided for ellipsometric measurements, as necessary. Computing units 258, 260 are connected to detectors 244, 246 for determining the physical parameters of film 232. Of course, units 258, 260 can be replaced by a single unit.
The advantage of substrate 230 which sandwiches film 232 between two of its layers 236, 238 is improved accuracy in determining the physical parameters. This is illustrated in FIG. 8B for two examples of measuring film thickness tf when substrate 230 sandwiches film 232. These curves show: 4) SiO2 (1000 Å)/DLC (49 Å) /SiO2 (1651 Å)/Si (0.5 mm); 5) SiO2 (1000 Å)/DLC (49 Å)/SiO2 (3000 Å)/Si (0.5 mm). The sandwiched structure enhances the signal due to film 232 in comparison to structures with the film deposited on top of the complex substrate (curves 2 and 3) and thus improves the data analysis precision even more.
FIG. 13 illustrates how the method of the invention is applied in a system 270 using a monitoring sample 272. Monitoring sample 272 is a complex substrate 274 built of two layers 276, 278. A light source 280 provides a test beam 282 and a detector 284 is arranged to measure the optical response of sample 272 in the form of reflected beam 286.
Measurement of total reflectance RT by detector 284 is processed by a computing unit (not shown) to determine the physical parameters of film 290. When deposition rates on monitoring sample are matched to those on medium 292 the measurement of the physical properties of film 290 on monitoring sample provides the necessary data about the corresponding physical parameters of film 290 coated on medium 292.
Once the method of the invention is used to determine one or more physical parameters of a thin film, e.g., the values on n and k, then the film can be coated on a regular substrate as necessary. The values of n and k obtained in accordance with the invention will aid in determining the thickness of the film deposited on a regular substrate in accordance with prior art methods.
FIG. 14 compares thickness measurements of a DLC film performed by the method of the present invention with two popular prior art methods. The triangles and circles indicate thickness data points obtained with the method of the invention. The rotated squares indicate the data points collected by the step-height method and the upright squares indicate data obtained with an atomic force microscope.
It will be clear to one skilled in the art that the above embodiment may be altered in many ways without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the following claims and their legal equivalents.
Claims (56)
1. A method for optically determining a physical parameter of a thin film, said method comprising the following steps:
a) providing a test beam;
b) selecting a wavelength range Δλ for said test beam;
c) providing a complex substrate having at least two layers and a non-monotonic and appreciably variable substrate optical response over said wavelength range Δλ;
d) measuring said substrate optical response;
e) depositing said thin film on said complex substrate;
f) illuminating said thin film on said complex substrate with said test beam to obtain a total optical response comprising said substrate optical response and an optical response difference due to the presence of said thin film, wherein said complex substrate renders said optical response difference non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over said wavelength range Δλ; and
g) determining said physical parameter from said total optical response.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said substrate optical response is a substrate reflectance, said optical response difference is a reflectance difference due to the presence of said thin film, said total optical response is a total reflectance comprising said substrate reflectance and said reflectance difference, and said illumination step produces a reflected beam.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of analyzing said reflected beam to determine said physical parameter from at least one light property selected from the group consisting of s-polarization, p-polarization, s-polarization amplitude, p-polarization amplitude, s-polarization phase, p-polarization phase.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein said reflected beam is analyzed by an ellipsometric technique.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein said step of determining said physical parameter comprises using a dispersion model.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said dispersion model is the Forouhi-Bloomer dispersion model.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said substrate optical response is a substrate transmittance, said optical response difference is a transmittance difference due to the presence of said thin film, said total optical response is a total transmittance comprising said substrate transmittance and said transmittance difference, and said illumination step produces a transmitted beam.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of analyzing said transmitted beam to determine said physical parameter from at least one light property selected from the group consisting of s-polarization, p-polarization, s-polarization amplitude, p-polarization amplitude, s-polarization phase, p-polarization phase.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein said transmitted beam is analyzed by an ellipsometric technique.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein said step of determining said physical parameter comprises using a dispersion model.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said dispersion model is the Forouhi-Bloomer dispersion model.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein a structure of said complex substrate is chosen such that said optical response difference is non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over said wavelength range Δλ.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least two layers are selected to maximize the effect of multiple internal reflections in said complex substrate and in said thin film.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein said physical parameter is selected from the group consisting of thickness t, index of refraction n, extinction coefficient k and energy bandgap Eg.
15. An apparatus for optically determining a physical parameter of a thin film, said apparatus comprising:
a) a complex substrate having at least two layers and a non-monotonic and appreciably variable substrate optical response over a wavelength range Δλ, said complex substrate having said thin film deposited thereon;
b) a light source for illuminating said complex substrate and said thin film with a test beam spanning said wavelength range Δλ;
c) a detector for measuring over said wavelength range Δλ said substrate optical response and a total optical response comprising said substrate optical response and an optical response difference due to the presence of said thin film, wherein said complex substrate renders said optical response difference non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over said wavelength range Δλ; and
d) a computing unit in communication with said detector for determining said physical parameter from said total optical response.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein a material composition of each of said at least two layers is selected such that said optical response difference is non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over said wavelength range Δλ.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein said material composition is selected from the group of materials consisting of SiO2, Si, SiOxNy.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said material composition of each of said at least two layers is selected to maximize the effect of multiple internal reflections in said complex substrate and in said thin film.
19. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said physical parameter is selected from the group consisting of thickness t, index of refraction n, extinction coefficient k and energy bandgap Eg.
20. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a first polarizing means for polarizing said test beam.
21. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said total optical response comprises a light beam selected from the group consisting of a transmitted beam and a reflected beam, and said apparatus further comprises a second polarizing means positioned in the path of said light beam.
22. A system using a monitoring sample for optically monitoring a physical parameter of a thin film, wherein said monitoring sample comprises a complex substrate having at least two layers and a non-monotonic and appreciably variable substrate optical response over a wavelength range Δλ, said system comprising:
a) a depositing means for depositing said thin film on said complex substrate;
b) a light source for illuminating said complex substrate and said thin film with a test beam spanning said wavelength range Δλ;
c) a detector for measuring over said wavelength range Δλ said substrate optical response and a total optical response comprising said substrate optical response and an optical response difference due to the presence of said thin film, wherein said complex substrate renders said optical response difference non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over said wavelength range Δλ; and
d) a computing unit in communication with said detector for determining said physical parameter from said total optical response.
23. The system of claim 22 , wherein a material composition of each of said at least two layers is selected such that said optical response difference is non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over said wavelength range Δλ.
24. The system of claim 23 , wherein said material composition is selected from the group of materials consisting of SiO2, Si, SiOxNy.
25. The system of claim 22 , wherein said material composition of each of said at least two layers is selected to maximize the effect of multiple internal reflections in said complex substrate and in said thin film.
26. The system of claim 22 , wherein said physical parameter is selected from the group consisting of thickness t, index of refraction n, extinction coefficient k and energy bandgap Eg.
27. The system of claim 22 , further comprising a first polarizing means for polarizing said test beam.
28. The system of claim 22 , wherein said total optical response comprises a light beam selected from the group consisting of a transmitted beam and a reflected beam, and said apparatus further comprises a second polarizing means positioned in the path of said light beam.
29. A method for optically determining a physical parameter of a thin film, said method comprising the following steps:
a) providing a test beam;
b) selecting a wavelength range Δλ for said test beam;
c) providing a complex substrate having at least two layers and a non-monotonic and appreciably variable substrate optical response over said wavelength range Δλ, wherein said substrate optical response is measured before said thin film is sandwiched between two of said at least two layers thereby forming a sandwiched structure;
d) illuminating said sandwiched structure with said test beam to obtain a total response comprising said substrate optical response and an optical response difference due to the presence of said thin film, wherein said complex substrate renders said optical response difference non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over said wavelength range Δλ; and
e) determining said physical parameter from said total optical response.
30. The method of claim 29 , wherein said substrate optical response is a substrate reflectance, said optical response difference is a reflectance difference due to the presence of said thin film, said total optical response is a total reflectance comprising said substrate reflectance and said reflectance difference, and said illumination step produces a reflected beam.
31. The method of claim 30 , further comprising the step of analyzing said reflected beam to determine said physical parameter from at least one Light property selected from the group consisting of s-polarization, p-polarization, s-polarization amplitude, p-polarization amplitude, s-polarization phase, p-polarization phase.
32. The method of claim 30 , wherein said reflected beam is analyzed by an ellipsometric technique.
33. The method of claim 30 , wherein said step of determining said physical parameter comprises using a dispersion model.
34. The method of claim 33 , wherein said dispersion model is the Forouhi-Bloomer model.
35. The method of claim 29 , wherein said substrate optical response is a substrate transmittance, said optical response difference is a transmittance difference due to the presence of said thin film said total optical response is a total transmittance comprising said substrate transmittance and said transmittance difference, and said illumination step produces a transmitted beam.
36. The method of claim 35 , further comprising the step of analyzing said transmitted beam to determine said physical parameter from at least one light property selected from the group consisting of s-polarization, p-polarization, s-polarization amplitude, p-polarization amplitude, s-polarization phase, p-polarization phase.
37. The method of claim 35 , wherein said transmitted beam is analyzed by an ellipsometric technique.
38. The method of claim 35 , wherein said step of determining said physical parameter comprises using a dispersion model.
39. The method of claim 38 , wherein said dispersion model is the Forouhi-Bloomer dispersion model.
40. The method of claim 29 , wherein a structure of said complex substrate is chosen such that said optical response difference is non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over said wavelength range Δλ.
41. The method of claim 29 , wherein said at least two layers are selected to maximize the effect of multiple internal reflections in said complex substrate and in said thin film.
42. The method of claim 29 , wherein said physical parameter is selected from the group consisting of thickness t, index of refraction n, extinction coefficient k and energy bandgap Eg.
43. An apparatus for optically determining a physical parameter of a thin film, said apparatus comprising:
a) a complex substrate having at least two layers and a non-monotonic and appreciably variable substrate optical response over a wavelength range Δλ, said complex substrate having said thin film structured between two of said at least two layers;
b) a light source for illuminating said complex substrate and said thin film with a test beam spanning said wavelength range Δλ;
c) a detector for measuring over said wavelength range Δλ said substrate optical response and a total optical response comprising said substrate optical response and an optical response difference due to the presence of said thin film, wherein said complex substrate renders said optical response difference non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over said wavelength range Δλ; and
d) a computing unit in communication with said detector for determining said physical parameter from said total optical response.
44. The apparatus of claim 43 , wherein a material composition of each of said at least two layers is selected such that said optical response difference is non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over said wavelength range Δλ.
45. The apparatus of claim 44 , wherein said material composition is selected from the group of materials consisting of SiO2, Si, SiOxNy.
46. The apparatus of claim 43 , wherein said material composition of each of said at least two layers is selected to maximize the effect of multiple internal reflections in said complex substrate and in said thin film.
47. The apparatus of claim 43 , wherein said physical parameter is selected from the group consisting of thickness t, index of refraction n, extinction coefficient k and energy bandgap Eg.
48. The apparatus of claim 43 , further comprising a first polarizing means for polarizing said test beam.
49. The apparatus of claim 43 , wherein said total optical response comprises a light beam selected from the group consisting of a transmitted beam and a reflected beam, and said apparatus further comprises a second polarizing means positioned in the path of said light beam.
50. A system using a monitoring sample for optically monitoring a physical parameter of a thin film, wherein said monitoring sample comprises a complex substrate having at least two layers and a non-monotonic and appreciably variable substrate optical response over a wavelength range Δλ, and wherein said thin film is structured within said complex substrate between two of said at least two layers, said system comprising:
a) a light source for illuminating said complex substrate and said thin film with a test beam spanning said wavelength range Δλ;
b) a detector for measuring over said wavelength range Δλ said substrate optical response and a total optical response comprising said substrate optical response and an optical response difference due to the presence of said thin film, wherein said complex substrate renders said optical response difference non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over said wavelength range Δλ; and
c) a computing unit in communication with said detector for determining said physical parameter from said total optical response.
51. The system of claim 50 , wherein a material composition of each of said at least two layers is selected such that said optical response difference is non-zero, non-monotonic and appreciably variable over said wavelength range Δλ.
52. The system of claim 51 , wherein said material composition is selected from the group of materials consisting of SiO2, Si, SiOxNy.
53. The system of claim 50 , wherein said material composition of each of said at least two layers is selected to maximize the effect of multiple internal reflections in said complex substrate and in said thin film.
54. The system of claim 50 , wherein said physical parameter is selected from the group consisting of thickness t, index of refraction n, extinction coefficient k and energy bandgap Eg.
55. The system of claim 50 , further comprising a first polarizing means for polarizing said test beam.
56. The system of claim 50 , wherein said total optical response comprises a light beam selected from the group consisting of a transmitted beam and a reflected beam, and said apparatus further comprises a second polarizing means positioned in the path of said light beam.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/336,404 US6392756B1 (en) | 1999-06-18 | 1999-06-18 | Method and apparatus for optically determining physical parameters of thin films deposited on a complex substrate |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/336,404 US6392756B1 (en) | 1999-06-18 | 1999-06-18 | Method and apparatus for optically determining physical parameters of thin films deposited on a complex substrate |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US6392756B1 true US6392756B1 (en) | 2002-05-21 |
Family
ID=23315938
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/336,404 Expired - Lifetime US6392756B1 (en) | 1999-06-18 | 1999-06-18 | Method and apparatus for optically determining physical parameters of thin films deposited on a complex substrate |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6392756B1 (en) |
Cited By (67)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20020113957A1 (en) * | 2000-09-14 | 2002-08-22 | Forouhi Abdul Rahim | Method of inferring optical parameters outside of a measurement spectral range |
US20020168291A1 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2002-11-14 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Agent for health inspection and health inspection apparatus using the same |
WO2003001146A1 (en) * | 2001-06-21 | 2003-01-03 | Kla-Tencor Corporation | Apparatus and methods for reducing thin film color variation in optical inspection of semiconductor devices and other surfaces |
US20030073254A1 (en) * | 2001-09-27 | 2003-04-17 | Daewon Kwon | Methods and apparatus for determining optical constants of semiconductors and dielectrics with interband states |
US20030179381A1 (en) * | 2002-03-18 | 2003-09-25 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Sensor, color sensor and apparatus for inspection using the same |
US6694275B1 (en) * | 2000-06-02 | 2004-02-17 | Timbre Technologies, Inc. | Profiler business model |
US20040061873A1 (en) * | 2002-09-26 | 2004-04-01 | Davis Brett L. | Method and apparatus for detecting media thickness |
US20040064263A1 (en) * | 2002-07-19 | 2004-04-01 | Trudo Clarysse | System and method for measuring properties of a semiconductor substrate in a non-destructive way |
US6738139B1 (en) * | 2002-08-26 | 2004-05-18 | J.A. Woollam Co., Inc. | Method of determining bulk refractive indicies of fluids from thin films thereof |
US20040130718A1 (en) * | 2003-01-08 | 2004-07-08 | Kla-Tencor Technologies Corporation | Concurrent measurement and cleaning of thin films on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) |
US20040156749A1 (en) * | 2002-12-13 | 2004-08-12 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Target detecting apparatus, target detection method and target detection substrate |
US20040227955A1 (en) * | 2003-04-09 | 2004-11-18 | Mitsubishi Chemical Engineering Corporation | Method and apparatus for measuring thicknesses of layers of multilayer thin film |
US20040257583A1 (en) * | 2003-06-20 | 2004-12-23 | Kim Jong Hwan | Method for measuring thickness of an optical disc |
US20050003642A1 (en) * | 2003-05-03 | 2005-01-06 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Method for determining the depth of a buried structure |
US20050095730A1 (en) * | 2003-09-05 | 2005-05-05 | Toru Mikami | Method for monitoring film thickness, a system for monitoring film thickness, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, and a program product for controlling film thickness monitoring system |
US20050117165A1 (en) * | 2002-03-18 | 2005-06-02 | The Boc Group, Inc. | Semiconductor etching process control |
US20050134842A1 (en) * | 2000-10-04 | 2005-06-23 | Orbotech, Ltd. | Electrical circuit conductor inspection |
US20050202495A1 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2005-09-15 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Hybridization probe and target nucleic acid detecting kit, target nucleic acid detecting apparatus and target nucleic acid detecting method using the same |
US20050243327A1 (en) * | 2003-02-14 | 2005-11-03 | Chian Chiu Li | Compact Optical Apparatus |
US20050247877A1 (en) * | 2004-05-06 | 2005-11-10 | The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illinois | Apparatus and method for determining a thickness of a deposited material |
US20060029970A1 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2006-02-09 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Antigen detecting agent and antigen detecting kit, antigen detecting apparatus and antigen detecting method using the same |
US20060060755A1 (en) * | 2004-09-18 | 2006-03-23 | Chian Chiu Li | Bi-directional Optical Transmission System And Method |
US20060119921A1 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2006-06-08 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Molecular electric wire, molecular electric wire circuit using the same and process for producing the molecular electric wire circuit |
US20060199215A1 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2006-09-07 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Waste water inspecting agent and waste water inspecting apparatus using the same |
US20070019206A1 (en) * | 2005-07-19 | 2007-01-25 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Etching method and apparatus |
US7196800B1 (en) * | 2001-07-26 | 2007-03-27 | Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. | Semiconductor die analysis as a function of optical reflections from the die |
US7233401B1 (en) * | 2003-07-11 | 2007-06-19 | Foothill Instruments, Llc | Method and apparatus for measuring thickness of a material |
US20070173792A1 (en) * | 2003-03-06 | 2007-07-26 | Visx, Incorporated | Systems and methods for qualifying and calibrating a beam delivery system |
US20070173797A1 (en) * | 2006-01-26 | 2007-07-26 | Visx, Incorporated | Laser energy calibration based on optical measurement |
US20070182970A1 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2007-08-09 | Harrison Dale A | Method and apparatus for performing highly accurate thin film measurements |
US20070181794A1 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2007-08-09 | Phillip Walsh | Method and apparatus for accurate calibration of a reflectometer by using a relative reflectance measurement |
US20070181795A1 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2007-08-09 | Phillip Walsh | Method and apparatus for accurate calibration of a reflectometer by using a relative reflectance measurement |
US20070181793A1 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2007-08-09 | Harrison Dale A | Method and apparatus for accurate calibration of VUV reflectometer |
US20070215801A1 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2007-09-20 | Phillip Walsh | Method and apparatus for accurate calibration of a reflectometer by using a relative reflectance measurement |
US20070292976A1 (en) * | 2004-12-14 | 2007-12-20 | Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum Vzw (Imec) | Method and device for the independent extraction of carrier concentration level and electrical junction depth in a semiconductor substrate |
FR2902513A1 (en) * | 2006-06-15 | 2007-12-21 | Sidel Participations | METHOD FOR MEASURING THE THICKNESS OF A COATING ON A SUBSTRATE |
US20090219537A1 (en) * | 2008-02-28 | 2009-09-03 | Phillip Walsh | Method and apparatus for using multiple relative reflectance measurements to determine properties of a sample using vacuum ultra violet wavelengths |
US7586622B1 (en) | 2004-12-30 | 2009-09-08 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Measuring thickness of a device layer using reflectance and transmission profiles of baseline devices |
US20100045981A1 (en) * | 2008-08-21 | 2010-02-25 | Tokyo Electron Limited | Substrate processing apparatus, optical constant obtaining method, and storage medium storing program executing same |
US20100141948A1 (en) * | 2007-07-11 | 2010-06-10 | Yoel Cohen | Method and system for use in monitoring properties of patterned structures |
US7755775B1 (en) * | 2006-10-03 | 2010-07-13 | N&K Technology, Inc. | Broadband optical metrology with reduced wave front distortion, chromatic dispersion compensation and monitoring |
US20100183800A1 (en) * | 2005-10-26 | 2010-07-22 | George Dube | Method and apparatus for measuring optical extinction in a thin film during its deposition |
US20100243903A1 (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2010-09-30 | Torsten Fahr | Method and system for material characterization in semiconductor production processes based on ftir with variable angle of incidence |
US20100245819A1 (en) * | 2009-03-27 | 2010-09-30 | Guoguang Li | Method and apparatus for phase-compensated sensitivity-enhanced spectroscopy (PCSES) |
US20100277741A1 (en) * | 2007-04-09 | 2010-11-04 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Combined optical metrology techniques |
US20100290033A1 (en) * | 2003-01-16 | 2010-11-18 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Method and System for Using Reflectometry Below Deep Ultra-Violet (DUV) Wavelengths for Measuring Properties of Diffracting or Scattering Structures on Substrate Work Pieces |
US20100294922A1 (en) * | 2009-05-22 | 2010-11-25 | Hurst Jeffrey B | Automated calibration methodology for VUV metrology system |
US20100315627A1 (en) * | 2009-06-16 | 2010-12-16 | Wu Wen-Li | Apparatus and Method for Enhancing the Electromagnetic Signal of a Sample |
US20100328648A1 (en) * | 2003-01-16 | 2010-12-30 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Broad band referencing reflectometer |
US7990549B2 (en) | 2006-11-30 | 2011-08-02 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Method and apparatus for optically measuring periodic structures using orthogonal azimuthal sample orientation |
CN102243065A (en) * | 2011-04-13 | 2011-11-16 | 浙江大学 | Back compensation-based transparent substrate film thickness measurement system |
CN103080725A (en) * | 2010-07-21 | 2013-05-01 | Imec公司 | Method for determining an active dopant profile |
US8565379B2 (en) | 2011-03-14 | 2013-10-22 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Combining X-ray and VUV analysis of thin film layers |
JP2014048216A (en) * | 2012-09-03 | 2014-03-17 | Pulstec Industrial Co Ltd | Thickness measurement instrument and thickness measurement method of light-transmissive object |
TWI452283B (en) * | 2006-05-05 | 2014-09-11 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors | A method of calibrating a system that obtains reflectance data and a method of calibrating a reflectometer |
US8867041B2 (en) | 2011-01-18 | 2014-10-21 | Jordan Valley Semiconductor Ltd | Optical vacuum ultra-violet wavelength nanoimprint metrology |
CN104458614A (en) * | 2014-12-02 | 2015-03-25 | 中国航天科工集团第三研究院第八三五八研究所 | Accurate calculation method for extinction coefficient of low-absorption thin-film material |
WO2013090631A3 (en) * | 2011-12-15 | 2015-06-04 | Kla-Tencor Corporation | Film thickness monitor |
WO2016147782A1 (en) * | 2015-03-17 | 2016-09-22 | 東レエンジニアリング株式会社 | Film thickness measurement device and film thickness measurement method |
JP2017067702A (en) * | 2015-10-01 | 2017-04-06 | 日産自動車株式会社 | Film thickness inspection device and film thickness inspection method |
JPWO2016158785A1 (en) * | 2015-03-29 | 2018-01-18 | 住友化学株式会社 | LAMINATED SUBSTRATE MEASUREMENT METHOD, LAMINATED SUBSTRATE AND MEASUREMENT DEVICE |
US20180073978A1 (en) * | 2015-03-31 | 2018-03-15 | Sony Corporation | Signal processing apparatus, optical tomographic measurement apparatus, and signal processing method |
US20190011252A1 (en) * | 2016-01-07 | 2019-01-10 | Arkema Inc. | Optical method to measure the thickness of coatings deposited on substrates |
RU2724141C1 (en) * | 2020-01-28 | 2020-06-22 | Федеральное государственное бюджетное учреждение науки Институт химии твердого тела Уральского отделения Российской академии наук | Method of determining optical width of the band gap of nanosized films |
CN114235752A (en) * | 2021-12-17 | 2022-03-25 | 江南大学 | Optical method for identifying two-dimensional material layer number in two-dimensional three-dimensional material heterojunction |
WO2022180829A1 (en) * | 2021-02-26 | 2022-09-01 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Non-contact measurement method |
US11473900B2 (en) * | 2016-07-21 | 2022-10-18 | Assan Aluminyum San. Ve Tic. A. S. | Measurement of oxide thickness on aluminum surface by FTIR spectroscopy and chemometrics method |
Citations (30)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3601492A (en) | 1967-11-20 | 1971-08-24 | Monsanto Co | Apparatus for measuring film thickness |
US3892490A (en) * | 1974-03-06 | 1975-07-01 | Minolta Camera Kk | Monitoring system for coating a substrate |
US4355903A (en) | 1980-02-08 | 1982-10-26 | Rca Corporation | Thin film thickness monitor |
US4555767A (en) | 1982-05-27 | 1985-11-26 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for measuring thickness of epitaxial layer by infrared reflectance |
US4676647A (en) | 1985-03-22 | 1987-06-30 | Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Film thickness measuring device and method |
US4707611A (en) * | 1986-12-08 | 1987-11-17 | Rockwell International Corporation | Incremental monitoring of thin films |
US4885709A (en) | 1986-01-17 | 1989-12-05 | Infrared Engineering Limited | Method and apparatus for sensing or determining one or more properties or the identity of a sample |
US4899055A (en) | 1988-05-12 | 1990-02-06 | Tencor Instruments | Thin film thickness measuring method |
US4905170A (en) * | 1987-11-12 | 1990-02-27 | Forouhi Abdul R | Method and apparatus of determining optical constants of amorphous semiconductors and dielectrics |
US4984894A (en) * | 1988-08-17 | 1991-01-15 | Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Method of and apparatus for measuring film thickness |
US4999509A (en) | 1989-03-27 | 1991-03-12 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Optical measuring device of film thickness |
US5042949A (en) | 1989-03-17 | 1991-08-27 | Greenberg Jeffrey S | Optical profiler for films and substrates |
US5101111A (en) | 1989-07-13 | 1992-03-31 | Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Method of measuring thickness of film with a reference sample having a known reflectance |
US5241366A (en) | 1992-03-04 | 1993-08-31 | Tencor Instruments | Thin film thickness monitor |
US5311284A (en) | 1991-07-12 | 1994-05-10 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Method of measuring optical characteristics of thin film and apparatus therefor |
US5337150A (en) | 1992-08-04 | 1994-08-09 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Apparatus and method for performing thin film layer thickness metrology using a correlation reflectometer |
US5365340A (en) | 1992-12-10 | 1994-11-15 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Apparatus and method for measuring the thickness of thin films |
US5371596A (en) | 1992-04-28 | 1994-12-06 | Jasco Corporation | Optical apparatus components having spectrally overlapping characteristics for measuring semiconductor layer thickness |
US5396080A (en) | 1992-09-15 | 1995-03-07 | Glaverbel | Thin film thickness monitoring with the intensity of reflected light measured at at least two discrete monitoring wavelengths |
US5457534A (en) | 1991-10-23 | 1995-10-10 | Phase Metrics | Method and apparatus to calibrate intensity and determine fringe order for interferometric measurement of small spacings |
US5471303A (en) | 1994-04-29 | 1995-11-28 | Wyko Corporation | Combination of white-light scanning and phase-shifting interferometry for surface profile measurements |
US5486701A (en) | 1992-06-16 | 1996-01-23 | Prometrix Corporation | Method and apparatus for measuring reflectance in two wavelength bands to enable determination of thin film thickness |
US5493401A (en) * | 1993-09-20 | 1996-02-20 | Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Method of measuring film thicknesses |
US5523840A (en) | 1993-06-21 | 1996-06-04 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Method and apparatus for measuring the thicknesses of layers of a multiple layer semiconductor film utilizing the comparison between a spatialgram and an optical characteristic matrix |
US5555472A (en) | 1993-12-22 | 1996-09-10 | Integrated Process Equipment Corp. | Method and apparatus for measuring film thickness in multilayer thin film stack by comparison to a reference library of theoretical signatures |
US5604581A (en) * | 1994-10-07 | 1997-02-18 | On-Line Technologies, Inc. | Film thickness and free carrier concentration analysis method and apparatus |
US5747813A (en) | 1992-06-16 | 1998-05-05 | Kla-Tencop. Corporation | Broadband microspectro-reflectometer |
US5784167A (en) * | 1996-12-03 | 1998-07-21 | United Microelectronics Corp. | Method of measuring thickness of a multi-layers film |
US5883720A (en) * | 1996-06-26 | 1999-03-16 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Method of measuring a film thickness of multilayer thin film |
US5999267A (en) * | 1999-03-08 | 1999-12-07 | Zawaideh; Emad | Nondestructive optical techniques for simultaneously measuring optical constants and thicknesses of single and multilayer films |
-
1999
- 1999-06-18 US US09/336,404 patent/US6392756B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (30)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3601492A (en) | 1967-11-20 | 1971-08-24 | Monsanto Co | Apparatus for measuring film thickness |
US3892490A (en) * | 1974-03-06 | 1975-07-01 | Minolta Camera Kk | Monitoring system for coating a substrate |
US4355903A (en) | 1980-02-08 | 1982-10-26 | Rca Corporation | Thin film thickness monitor |
US4555767A (en) | 1982-05-27 | 1985-11-26 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for measuring thickness of epitaxial layer by infrared reflectance |
US4676647A (en) | 1985-03-22 | 1987-06-30 | Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Film thickness measuring device and method |
US4885709A (en) | 1986-01-17 | 1989-12-05 | Infrared Engineering Limited | Method and apparatus for sensing or determining one or more properties or the identity of a sample |
US4707611A (en) * | 1986-12-08 | 1987-11-17 | Rockwell International Corporation | Incremental monitoring of thin films |
US4905170A (en) * | 1987-11-12 | 1990-02-27 | Forouhi Abdul R | Method and apparatus of determining optical constants of amorphous semiconductors and dielectrics |
US4899055A (en) | 1988-05-12 | 1990-02-06 | Tencor Instruments | Thin film thickness measuring method |
US4984894A (en) * | 1988-08-17 | 1991-01-15 | Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Method of and apparatus for measuring film thickness |
US5042949A (en) | 1989-03-17 | 1991-08-27 | Greenberg Jeffrey S | Optical profiler for films and substrates |
US4999509A (en) | 1989-03-27 | 1991-03-12 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Optical measuring device of film thickness |
US5101111A (en) | 1989-07-13 | 1992-03-31 | Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Method of measuring thickness of film with a reference sample having a known reflectance |
US5311284A (en) | 1991-07-12 | 1994-05-10 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Method of measuring optical characteristics of thin film and apparatus therefor |
US5457534A (en) | 1991-10-23 | 1995-10-10 | Phase Metrics | Method and apparatus to calibrate intensity and determine fringe order for interferometric measurement of small spacings |
US5241366A (en) | 1992-03-04 | 1993-08-31 | Tencor Instruments | Thin film thickness monitor |
US5371596A (en) | 1992-04-28 | 1994-12-06 | Jasco Corporation | Optical apparatus components having spectrally overlapping characteristics for measuring semiconductor layer thickness |
US5486701A (en) | 1992-06-16 | 1996-01-23 | Prometrix Corporation | Method and apparatus for measuring reflectance in two wavelength bands to enable determination of thin film thickness |
US5747813A (en) | 1992-06-16 | 1998-05-05 | Kla-Tencop. Corporation | Broadband microspectro-reflectometer |
US5337150A (en) | 1992-08-04 | 1994-08-09 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Apparatus and method for performing thin film layer thickness metrology using a correlation reflectometer |
US5396080A (en) | 1992-09-15 | 1995-03-07 | Glaverbel | Thin film thickness monitoring with the intensity of reflected light measured at at least two discrete monitoring wavelengths |
US5365340A (en) | 1992-12-10 | 1994-11-15 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Apparatus and method for measuring the thickness of thin films |
US5523840A (en) | 1993-06-21 | 1996-06-04 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Method and apparatus for measuring the thicknesses of layers of a multiple layer semiconductor film utilizing the comparison between a spatialgram and an optical characteristic matrix |
US5493401A (en) * | 1993-09-20 | 1996-02-20 | Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Method of measuring film thicknesses |
US5555472A (en) | 1993-12-22 | 1996-09-10 | Integrated Process Equipment Corp. | Method and apparatus for measuring film thickness in multilayer thin film stack by comparison to a reference library of theoretical signatures |
US5471303A (en) | 1994-04-29 | 1995-11-28 | Wyko Corporation | Combination of white-light scanning and phase-shifting interferometry for surface profile measurements |
US5604581A (en) * | 1994-10-07 | 1997-02-18 | On-Line Technologies, Inc. | Film thickness and free carrier concentration analysis method and apparatus |
US5883720A (en) * | 1996-06-26 | 1999-03-16 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Method of measuring a film thickness of multilayer thin film |
US5784167A (en) * | 1996-12-03 | 1998-07-21 | United Microelectronics Corp. | Method of measuring thickness of a multi-layers film |
US5999267A (en) * | 1999-03-08 | 1999-12-07 | Zawaideh; Emad | Nondestructive optical techniques for simultaneously measuring optical constants and thicknesses of single and multilayer films |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
Li, G. et al., A fast, easy way to measure the thickness of DLC films, Data Storage, pp. 29-32, Jun. 1999. |
Cited By (119)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6694275B1 (en) * | 2000-06-02 | 2004-02-17 | Timbre Technologies, Inc. | Profiler business model |
US20020113957A1 (en) * | 2000-09-14 | 2002-08-22 | Forouhi Abdul Rahim | Method of inferring optical parameters outside of a measurement spectral range |
US6710865B2 (en) * | 2000-09-14 | 2004-03-23 | N&K Technology, Inc. | Method of inferring optical parameters outside of a measurement spectral range |
US20050134842A1 (en) * | 2000-10-04 | 2005-06-23 | Orbotech, Ltd. | Electrical circuit conductor inspection |
US7006212B2 (en) | 2000-10-04 | 2006-02-28 | Orbotech Ltd. | Electrical circuit conductor inspection |
US20060029970A1 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2006-02-09 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Antigen detecting agent and antigen detecting kit, antigen detecting apparatus and antigen detecting method using the same |
US20060119921A1 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2006-06-08 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Molecular electric wire, molecular electric wire circuit using the same and process for producing the molecular electric wire circuit |
US20060199215A1 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2006-09-07 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Waste water inspecting agent and waste water inspecting apparatus using the same |
US20050202495A1 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2005-09-15 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Hybridization probe and target nucleic acid detecting kit, target nucleic acid detecting apparatus and target nucleic acid detecting method using the same |
US20020168291A1 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2002-11-14 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Agent for health inspection and health inspection apparatus using the same |
WO2003001146A1 (en) * | 2001-06-21 | 2003-01-03 | Kla-Tencor Corporation | Apparatus and methods for reducing thin film color variation in optical inspection of semiconductor devices and other surfaces |
US6570650B1 (en) * | 2001-06-21 | 2003-05-27 | Kla-Tenor Corporation | Apparatus and methods for reducing thin film color variation in optical inspection of semiconductor devices and other surfaces |
US7196800B1 (en) * | 2001-07-26 | 2007-03-27 | Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. | Semiconductor die analysis as a function of optical reflections from the die |
US6934031B2 (en) * | 2001-09-27 | 2005-08-23 | Rudolph Technologies, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for determining optical constants of semiconductors and dielectrics with interband states |
US20030073254A1 (en) * | 2001-09-27 | 2003-04-17 | Daewon Kwon | Methods and apparatus for determining optical constants of semiconductors and dielectrics with interband states |
US20050117165A1 (en) * | 2002-03-18 | 2005-06-02 | The Boc Group, Inc. | Semiconductor etching process control |
US20030179381A1 (en) * | 2002-03-18 | 2003-09-25 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Sensor, color sensor and apparatus for inspection using the same |
US7133128B2 (en) * | 2002-07-19 | 2006-11-07 | Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum (Imec) Vzw | System and method for measuring properties of a semiconductor substrate in a non-destructive way |
US20040064263A1 (en) * | 2002-07-19 | 2004-04-01 | Trudo Clarysse | System and method for measuring properties of a semiconductor substrate in a non-destructive way |
US7187443B1 (en) * | 2002-08-26 | 2007-03-06 | J.A. Woollam Co., Inc. | Method of determining bulk refractive indicies of liquids from thin films thereof |
US6738139B1 (en) * | 2002-08-26 | 2004-05-18 | J.A. Woollam Co., Inc. | Method of determining bulk refractive indicies of fluids from thin films thereof |
US20040061873A1 (en) * | 2002-09-26 | 2004-04-01 | Davis Brett L. | Method and apparatus for detecting media thickness |
US7202954B2 (en) * | 2002-12-13 | 2007-04-10 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Target detecting apparatus, target detection method and target detection substrate |
US20040156749A1 (en) * | 2002-12-13 | 2004-08-12 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Target detecting apparatus, target detection method and target detection substrate |
US20040130718A1 (en) * | 2003-01-08 | 2004-07-08 | Kla-Tencor Technologies Corporation | Concurrent measurement and cleaning of thin films on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) |
US7006222B2 (en) * | 2003-01-08 | 2006-02-28 | Kla-Tencor Technologies Corporation | Concurrent measurement and cleaning of thin films on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) |
US8054453B2 (en) | 2003-01-16 | 2011-11-08 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Broad band referencing reflectometer |
US8564780B2 (en) | 2003-01-16 | 2013-10-22 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Method and system for using reflectometry below deep ultra-violet (DUV) wavelengths for measuring properties of diffracting or scattering structures on substrate work pieces |
US20100290033A1 (en) * | 2003-01-16 | 2010-11-18 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Method and System for Using Reflectometry Below Deep Ultra-Violet (DUV) Wavelengths for Measuring Properties of Diffracting or Scattering Structures on Substrate Work Pieces |
US8014000B2 (en) | 2003-01-16 | 2011-09-06 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Broad band referencing reflectometer |
US20100328648A1 (en) * | 2003-01-16 | 2010-12-30 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Broad band referencing reflectometer |
US20050243327A1 (en) * | 2003-02-14 | 2005-11-03 | Chian Chiu Li | Compact Optical Apparatus |
US7280222B2 (en) * | 2003-02-14 | 2007-10-09 | Chian Chiu Li | Compact optical apparatus |
US20070173792A1 (en) * | 2003-03-06 | 2007-07-26 | Visx, Incorporated | Systems and methods for qualifying and calibrating a beam delivery system |
US8968279B2 (en) | 2003-03-06 | 2015-03-03 | Amo Manufacturing Usa, Llc | Systems and methods for qualifying and calibrating a beam delivery system |
US20040227955A1 (en) * | 2003-04-09 | 2004-11-18 | Mitsubishi Chemical Engineering Corporation | Method and apparatus for measuring thicknesses of layers of multilayer thin film |
US20050003642A1 (en) * | 2003-05-03 | 2005-01-06 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Method for determining the depth of a buried structure |
US7307735B2 (en) * | 2003-05-03 | 2007-12-11 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Method for determining the depth of a buried structure |
US7248372B2 (en) | 2003-06-20 | 2007-07-24 | Lg Electronics, Inc. | Technologies for measuring thickness of an optical disc |
US20040257583A1 (en) * | 2003-06-20 | 2004-12-23 | Kim Jong Hwan | Method for measuring thickness of an optical disc |
US20070008549A1 (en) * | 2003-06-20 | 2007-01-11 | Lg Electronics, Inc. | Technologies for measuring thickness of an optical disc |
US7145662B2 (en) * | 2003-06-20 | 2006-12-05 | Lg Electronics, Inc. | Method for measuring thickness of an optical disc |
AU2003244248B2 (en) * | 2003-06-20 | 2009-06-11 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Method for measuring thickness of an optical disc |
US7233401B1 (en) * | 2003-07-11 | 2007-06-19 | Foothill Instruments, Llc | Method and apparatus for measuring thickness of a material |
US7573582B2 (en) * | 2003-09-05 | 2009-08-11 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Method for monitoring film thickness, a system for monitoring film thickness, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, and a program product for controlling film thickness monitoring system |
US7348192B2 (en) * | 2003-09-05 | 2008-03-25 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Method for monitoring film thickness, a system for monitoring film thickness, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, and a program product for controlling film thickness monitoring system |
US20050095730A1 (en) * | 2003-09-05 | 2005-05-05 | Toru Mikami | Method for monitoring film thickness, a system for monitoring film thickness, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, and a program product for controlling film thickness monitoring system |
US20080151271A1 (en) * | 2003-09-05 | 2008-06-26 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Method for monitoring film thickness, a system for monitoring film thickness, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, and a program product for controlling film thickness monitoring system |
US20050247877A1 (en) * | 2004-05-06 | 2005-11-10 | The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illinois | Apparatus and method for determining a thickness of a deposited material |
US7301149B2 (en) * | 2004-05-06 | 2007-11-27 | The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illinois | Apparatus and method for determining a thickness of a deposited material |
US7511265B2 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2009-03-31 | Metrosol, Inc. | Method and apparatus for accurate calibration of a reflectometer by using a relative reflectance measurement |
US20070181793A1 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2007-08-09 | Harrison Dale A | Method and apparatus for accurate calibration of VUV reflectometer |
US20070182970A1 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2007-08-09 | Harrison Dale A | Method and apparatus for performing highly accurate thin film measurements |
US8119991B2 (en) | 2004-08-11 | 2012-02-21 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Method and apparatus for accurate calibration of VUV reflectometer |
US7804059B2 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2010-09-28 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Method and apparatus for accurate calibration of VUV reflectometer |
US7663097B2 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2010-02-16 | Metrosol, Inc. | Method and apparatus for accurate calibration of a reflectometer by using a relative reflectance measurement |
US7399975B2 (en) | 2004-08-11 | 2008-07-15 | Metrosol, Inc. | Method and apparatus for performing highly accurate thin film measurements |
US20070215801A1 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2007-09-20 | Phillip Walsh | Method and apparatus for accurate calibration of a reflectometer by using a relative reflectance measurement |
US20070181795A1 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2007-08-09 | Phillip Walsh | Method and apparatus for accurate calibration of a reflectometer by using a relative reflectance measurement |
US20070181794A1 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2007-08-09 | Phillip Walsh | Method and apparatus for accurate calibration of a reflectometer by using a relative reflectance measurement |
US20100301225A1 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2010-12-02 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Method and Apparatus for Accurate Calibration of VUV Reflectometer |
US7282703B2 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2007-10-16 | Metrosol, Inc. | Method and apparatus for accurate calibration of a reflectometer by using a relative reflectance measurement |
US20060060755A1 (en) * | 2004-09-18 | 2006-03-23 | Chian Chiu Li | Bi-directional Optical Transmission System And Method |
US7385175B2 (en) * | 2004-09-18 | 2008-06-10 | Chian Chiu Li | Bi-directional optical transmission system and method |
US8314628B2 (en) * | 2004-12-14 | 2012-11-20 | Imec | Method and device for the independent extraction of carrier concentration level and electrical junction depth in a semiconductor substrate |
US20070292976A1 (en) * | 2004-12-14 | 2007-12-20 | Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum Vzw (Imec) | Method and device for the independent extraction of carrier concentration level and electrical junction depth in a semiconductor substrate |
US7586622B1 (en) | 2004-12-30 | 2009-09-08 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Measuring thickness of a device layer using reflectance and transmission profiles of baseline devices |
US20070019206A1 (en) * | 2005-07-19 | 2007-01-25 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Etching method and apparatus |
US8139234B2 (en) * | 2005-10-26 | 2012-03-20 | Dube George | Method and apparatus for measuring optical extinction in a thin film during its deposition |
US20100183800A1 (en) * | 2005-10-26 | 2010-07-22 | George Dube | Method and apparatus for measuring optical extinction in a thin film during its deposition |
US7811280B2 (en) * | 2006-01-26 | 2010-10-12 | Amo Manufacturing Usa, Llc. | System and method for laser ablation calibration |
US20070173797A1 (en) * | 2006-01-26 | 2007-07-26 | Visx, Incorporated | Laser energy calibration based on optical measurement |
TWI452283B (en) * | 2006-05-05 | 2014-09-11 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors | A method of calibrating a system that obtains reflectance data and a method of calibrating a reflectometer |
WO2007144517A2 (en) * | 2006-06-15 | 2007-12-21 | Sidel Participations | Method of measuring the thickness of a coating on a substrate |
FR2902513A1 (en) * | 2006-06-15 | 2007-12-21 | Sidel Participations | METHOD FOR MEASURING THE THICKNESS OF A COATING ON A SUBSTRATE |
WO2007144517A3 (en) * | 2006-06-15 | 2008-01-24 | Sidel Participations | Method of measuring the thickness of a coating on a substrate |
US7755775B1 (en) * | 2006-10-03 | 2010-07-13 | N&K Technology, Inc. | Broadband optical metrology with reduced wave front distortion, chromatic dispersion compensation and monitoring |
US7990549B2 (en) | 2006-11-30 | 2011-08-02 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Method and apparatus for optically measuring periodic structures using orthogonal azimuthal sample orientation |
US20100277741A1 (en) * | 2007-04-09 | 2010-11-04 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Combined optical metrology techniques |
US20100141948A1 (en) * | 2007-07-11 | 2010-06-10 | Yoel Cohen | Method and system for use in monitoring properties of patterned structures |
US8289515B2 (en) * | 2007-07-11 | 2012-10-16 | Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd. | Method and system for use in monitoring properties of patterned structures |
US8964178B2 (en) * | 2007-07-11 | 2015-02-24 | Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd. | Method and system for use in monitoring properties of patterned structures |
US8643842B2 (en) * | 2007-07-11 | 2014-02-04 | Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd. | Method and system for use in monitoring properties of patterned structures |
US20090219537A1 (en) * | 2008-02-28 | 2009-09-03 | Phillip Walsh | Method and apparatus for using multiple relative reflectance measurements to determine properties of a sample using vacuum ultra violet wavelengths |
US7948631B2 (en) | 2008-02-28 | 2011-05-24 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Method and apparatus for using multiple relative reflectance measurements to determine properties of a sample using vacuum ultra violet wavelengths |
US20100045981A1 (en) * | 2008-08-21 | 2010-02-25 | Tokyo Electron Limited | Substrate processing apparatus, optical constant obtaining method, and storage medium storing program executing same |
US8243268B2 (en) * | 2008-08-21 | 2012-08-14 | Tokyo Electron Limited | Substrate processing apparatus, optical constant obtaining method, and storage medium storing program executing same |
US20100245819A1 (en) * | 2009-03-27 | 2010-09-30 | Guoguang Li | Method and apparatus for phase-compensated sensitivity-enhanced spectroscopy (PCSES) |
US8125641B2 (en) | 2009-03-27 | 2012-02-28 | N&K Technology, Inc. | Method and apparatus for phase-compensated sensitivity-enhanced spectroscopy (PCSES) |
US20100243903A1 (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2010-09-30 | Torsten Fahr | Method and system for material characterization in semiconductor production processes based on ftir with variable angle of incidence |
US8153987B2 (en) | 2009-05-22 | 2012-04-10 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Automated calibration methodology for VUV metrology system |
US20100294922A1 (en) * | 2009-05-22 | 2010-11-25 | Hurst Jeffrey B | Automated calibration methodology for VUV metrology system |
US8436996B2 (en) * | 2009-06-16 | 2013-05-07 | Wen-li Wu | Apparatus and method for enhancing the electromagnetic signal of a sample |
US20100315627A1 (en) * | 2009-06-16 | 2010-12-16 | Wu Wen-Li | Apparatus and Method for Enhancing the Electromagnetic Signal of a Sample |
CN103080725A (en) * | 2010-07-21 | 2013-05-01 | Imec公司 | Method for determining an active dopant profile |
US20130194577A1 (en) * | 2010-07-21 | 2013-08-01 | Katholieke Universiteit Leuven | Method for determining an active dopant profile |
US8634080B2 (en) * | 2010-07-21 | 2014-01-21 | Imec | Method for determining an active dopant concentration profile |
CN103080725B (en) * | 2010-07-21 | 2016-08-10 | Imec公司 | For determining the method that Effective Doping thing is distributed |
US8867041B2 (en) | 2011-01-18 | 2014-10-21 | Jordan Valley Semiconductor Ltd | Optical vacuum ultra-violet wavelength nanoimprint metrology |
US8565379B2 (en) | 2011-03-14 | 2013-10-22 | Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd. | Combining X-ray and VUV analysis of thin film layers |
CN102243065A (en) * | 2011-04-13 | 2011-11-16 | 浙江大学 | Back compensation-based transparent substrate film thickness measurement system |
WO2013090631A3 (en) * | 2011-12-15 | 2015-06-04 | Kla-Tencor Corporation | Film thickness monitor |
JP2014048216A (en) * | 2012-09-03 | 2014-03-17 | Pulstec Industrial Co Ltd | Thickness measurement instrument and thickness measurement method of light-transmissive object |
CN104458614A (en) * | 2014-12-02 | 2015-03-25 | 中国航天科工集团第三研究院第八三五八研究所 | Accurate calculation method for extinction coefficient of low-absorption thin-film material |
US10274307B2 (en) | 2015-03-17 | 2019-04-30 | Toray Engineering Co., Ltd. | Film thickness measurement device using interference of light and film thickness measurement method using interference of light |
WO2016147782A1 (en) * | 2015-03-17 | 2016-09-22 | 東レエンジニアリング株式会社 | Film thickness measurement device and film thickness measurement method |
EP3279640A4 (en) * | 2015-03-29 | 2018-10-31 | Sumitomo Chemical Company, Ltd. | Multi-layer substrate measurement method, multi-layer substrate, and measurement device |
JPWO2016158785A1 (en) * | 2015-03-29 | 2018-01-18 | 住友化学株式会社 | LAMINATED SUBSTRATE MEASUREMENT METHOD, LAMINATED SUBSTRATE AND MEASUREMENT DEVICE |
US10222321B2 (en) | 2015-03-29 | 2019-03-05 | Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited | Laminate substrate measurement method, laminate substrate and measurement apparatus |
US20180073978A1 (en) * | 2015-03-31 | 2018-03-15 | Sony Corporation | Signal processing apparatus, optical tomographic measurement apparatus, and signal processing method |
US10209177B2 (en) * | 2015-03-31 | 2019-02-19 | Sony Corporation | Signal processing apparatus for eliminating object reflection noise in optical tomographic measurement |
JP2017067702A (en) * | 2015-10-01 | 2017-04-06 | 日産自動車株式会社 | Film thickness inspection device and film thickness inspection method |
US20190011252A1 (en) * | 2016-01-07 | 2019-01-10 | Arkema Inc. | Optical method to measure the thickness of coatings deposited on substrates |
US10753728B2 (en) * | 2016-01-07 | 2020-08-25 | Arkema Inc. | Optical method to measure the thickness of coatings deposited on substrates |
US11473900B2 (en) * | 2016-07-21 | 2022-10-18 | Assan Aluminyum San. Ve Tic. A. S. | Measurement of oxide thickness on aluminum surface by FTIR spectroscopy and chemometrics method |
RU2724141C1 (en) * | 2020-01-28 | 2020-06-22 | Федеральное государственное бюджетное учреждение науки Институт химии твердого тела Уральского отделения Российской академии наук | Method of determining optical width of the band gap of nanosized films |
WO2022180829A1 (en) * | 2021-02-26 | 2022-09-01 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Non-contact measurement method |
CN114235752A (en) * | 2021-12-17 | 2022-03-25 | 江南大学 | Optical method for identifying two-dimensional material layer number in two-dimensional three-dimensional material heterojunction |
CN114235752B (en) * | 2021-12-17 | 2024-02-09 | 江南大学 | Optical method for identifying number of layers of two-dimensional material in two-dimensional three-dimensional material heterojunction |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6392756B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for optically determining physical parameters of thin films deposited on a complex substrate | |
US6091485A (en) | Method and apparatus for optically determining physical parameters of underlayers | |
US7612891B2 (en) | Measurement of thin films using fourier amplitude | |
US6242739B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for non-destructive determination of film thickness and dopant concentration using fourier transform infrared spectrometry | |
US5777740A (en) | Combined interferometer/polarimeter | |
US5953125A (en) | Optical gap measuring apparatus and method | |
US20120140235A1 (en) | Method for measuring the film element using optical multi-wavelength interferometry | |
JPS6257936B2 (en) | ||
Hlubina et al. | Spectral interferometry and reflectometry used to measure thin films | |
JPH06317408A (en) | Determination of characteristic value of transparent layer using polarization analysis method | |
JP2006513418A (en) | Film thickness measuring apparatus and method using improved high-speed Fourier transform | |
Rivory | Characterization of inhomogeneous dielectric films by spectroscopic ellipsometry | |
JP3311497B2 (en) | Fourier transform spectral phase modulation ellipsometry | |
US8379228B1 (en) | Apparatus for measuring thin film refractive index and thickness with a spectrophotometer | |
CN110118754B (en) | Rapid measurement method for ultrathin film optical constant | |
US5717490A (en) | Method for identifying order skipping in spectroreflective film measurement equipment | |
de Groot et al. | Determining the optical constants of read-write sliders during flying-height testing | |
US20050244093A1 (en) | Wavelength-tuned intensity measurement of surface plasmon resonance sensor | |
KR102570084B1 (en) | The thickness measurement method using a three-dimensional reflectance surface | |
JP6023485B2 (en) | Optical characteristic measuring system and optical characteristic measuring method | |
JP5156306B2 (en) | Optical anisotropy measuring apparatus and optical anisotropy measuring method | |
JP3578620B2 (en) | Optical constant measuring method and optical constant measuring device | |
JP3555833B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for evaluating optical constants | |
Goldina | Calculation of the reflection coefficient of metal-dielectric structures in frustrated total internal reflection | |
JP3007944B2 (en) | A method for determining the optical properties of thin films. |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: N&K TECHNOLOGY, INC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:LI, GUOGUANG;HARRISON, DALE A.;XU, WEILU;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:010062/0921 Effective date: 19990618 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 12 |